Back to School Vaccinations 
 

Is Your Child Caught Up for Back to School Immunizations?

Heading back to school is an exciting time of year for students and families. Getting children and teens ready to go back to school is the perfect time to make sure they are up to date with their immunizations. Vaccines are essential to a healthy school year and protecting students from serious illness.

In Texas, a student shall show acceptable documentation of vaccination before entering, attending, or transferring to a childcare facility or public or private elementary or secondary school. Vaccine requirements are determined by the state legislature and set by the Texas Department of State Health Services, in conjunction with the Texas Education Agency. More information on the required immunizations for K-12th graders in Texas can be found here. Check with your child’s doctor or school nurse to get an updated vaccination record for your child.

Most children are up to date unless entering PreK, Kindergarten, or 7th grade. These grades require additional vaccinations to stay up to date.

We believe vaccinations are the best way to protect your family against diseases that can cause serious illness.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many of our parents to delay bringing their children in for yearly checkups. Because annual appointments are when many kids receive their scheduled vaccinations, those who missed their yearly checkups may also have missed needed vaccines. If your child missed vaccines because of the pandemic or for other reasons, it is never too late to bring them up to date.

If you’re worried about the cost of vaccinating your kids before school begins, The Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) program may be able to help. The TVFC Program provides vaccines for children for families who may not be able to afford them.

Children are eligible to receive vaccinations through the TVFC program if they are 18 years of age or younger and meet at least one of the eligibility criteria listed below:

• Enrolled or eligible for participation in the Medicaid program
• Enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• American Indian or Alaska Native (As defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603)
• Uninsured Children: Children who do not have health insurance
• Underinsured Children: Children with private insurance but coverage:

• Does not include vaccines
• Only includes select vaccines

If your child is eligible to receive vaccines under the TVFC program, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has an online tool to help you find a TVFC provider near you. Please visit our website where under the “Find a Provider” section, you can click on the “TVFC Providers” link for a list of participating clinics near you.