Gov. Tina Kotek rejected President Donald Trump's executive order calling for the MMR vaccine to be split into three separate shots, announcing Aug. 14 that Oregon will continue following the immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The decision lands as Beaverton families prepare for the first day of school Tuesday, Aug. 25, and as measles has already been confirmed in the community. Oregon's case count hit 45 on Aug. 13, surpassing the previous modern-era record of 31 set in 2024, according to Oregon Health Authority data.
"President Trump is playing politics with something that should never be political: keeping children healthy and protecting families from preventable disease," Kotek said in a statement. "I trust medical and public health professionals to provide guidance to parents about vaccines."
What the executive order does
Trump signed the order Aug. 10, directing that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) combination vaccine be broken into three separate injections given at different appointments. States, not the federal government, have the authority to set school vaccination requirements.
The order cannot force Oregon to change its rules.
Kotek cited the West Coast Health Alliance, a partnership Oregon formed with California, Hawaii and Washington in 2025 to coordinate vaccine guidelines. The alliance told the Statesman Journal that the executive order does not change its position on evidence-based vaccine guidance.
OHA spokesperson Larry Bingham said the agency is conducting a full review of the order's implications and expressed concern about actions that could limit access to life-saving vaccines or increase confusion for families and clinicians.
Beaverton exposure confirmed
Measles has been detected in Washington County wastewater since Aug. 1.
Dr. Dean Sidelinger, OHA's state health officer, told the Oregon Capital Chronicle on Aug. 13 that wastewater detection means "at least one person with measles living in that area recently."
As we reported Aug. 13, only 85.6% of Oregon kindergarteners were up to date on required vaccines in the 2025-26 school year. That falls well below the 93% threshold epidemiologists say is needed to prevent outbreaks. Nearly 11% of kindergarteners held nonmedical exemptions.
What BSD families need to know
Oregon law requires two doses of the MMR vaccine for kindergarten entry. Parents can opt out with a medical or nonmedical exemption, but unvaccinated children exposed to measles must stay out of school for 21 days.
Nothing changes for Beaverton School District families. Kotek's rejection of the Trump order means the existing vaccination schedule and exemption rules remain in effect for the Aug. 25 start.
OHA advises anyone with measles-like symptoms or known exposure to call ahead before visiting a medical facility. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
