Your child may be eligible for vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Students are getting ready to go back to school, and whether it’s via distance learning or in person, it is important children and teens are up-to-date on their vaccinations. 

 This year, Sacramento County Public Health recommends the addition of a COVID-19 vaccine for youth. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been approved by the CDC for children ages 12 and above. COVID-19 vaccine clinics are available at multiple locations throughout the county. 

 “Vaccines are always an important part of back-to-school time, and to even enroll in school, it is still required by law that you meet immunization requirements,” said Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Sacramento County Public Health Officer. “Not getting your children vaccinated will make them more vulnerable to preventable diseases like whooping cough, the flu and measles.” 

 Immunizations Required to Enter Kindergarten: 

Polio; Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP); Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR); Hepatitis B; Varicella (Chickenpox)

 Immunizations required to enter 7th grade:

Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis booster (Tdap); Varicella (Chickenpox)

If your child hasn’t received one or more of these vaccines, make an appointment for them to get caught up today. The Sacramento County Immunization Assistance Program may be able to help by providing information about immunizations for school and provide assistance in obtaining immunization services for children and adults in Sacramento County. The program also provides referrals for clients to immunization resources, consultation services, and conducting flu vaccine clinics each fall, as well as providing state-supplied vaccines during vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. You can reach the program from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays at 916-875-7468. 

 If you don’t have health insurance, or your insurance policy doesn’t cover all recommended childhood vaccines, your child may be eligible for vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program.

 You can find out what vaccines your child needs at all ages by reviewing the CDC’s recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/child-easyread.html.