As children across NC get ready to head back to school, it's a good time to make sure they are up to date on vaccines.
Children and teens are more susceptible to certain diseases. Vaccines help protect your child and keep them healthy so they can learn and grow.
Why vaccines matter
"Health care providers and families have the same goal: A healthy future for all our children. Vaccines are an essential piece of child, teen and family well-being."
-NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai
Vaccines help protect your child from preventable diseases like:
The U.S. has seen more measles cases this year than in the last 30 years. North Carolina has also seen more whooping cough cases this year than in the past 70 years.
Vaccines help prevent these illnesses and keep kids in school instead of home sick.
When and where to get vaccines
You can check your child's vaccines during any visit with a health care provider. This includes during a school physical, checkup or even a sick visit.
No insurance? Your child may be able to get vaccines for low or no cost through the Vaccines for Children program. The program offers free vaccines to eligible children through age 18. Check eligibility and find a VFC provider near you.
Protecting your child and your community
"Vaccines remain one of the most effective means available to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death. They help to protect the health of children, their families and the entire community from the spread of infectious diseases."
-Dr. Kelly Kimple, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Public Health
August is Immunization Awareness Month in North Carolina. To help families and health care providers, NCDHHS created a Childhood Vaccines Toolkit. This bilingual toolkit helps parents and providers start a conversation about childhood vaccines. These conversations give parents the information they need to protect what matters most – their children’s health.
Back-to-school checkups are a great time to ask questions
"Immunizations help protect your child by training their immune system to recognize and resist diseases. The back-to-school checkup is a great time to talk with your pediatrician or other primary care provider about vaccines and any other concerns you might have about your child’s health."
-Theresa McCarthy Flynn, MD, MPH, FAAP, President of the North Carolina Pediatric Society
Talk to your child's health care provider about both required and recommended vaccines. Ask about seasonal vaccines. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
More information
- NC Vaccine Requirements for K-12 School-Age Children
- Details about recommended childhood vaccines
- NCDHHS kindergarten immunization dashboard
- Information on vaccine safety
- Vaccine-preventable diseases and immunizations for NC families
Related Press Release: Back to School Means Time to Get Children Up to Date on Required and Recommended Vaccines