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
“Back-to-school season is an important reminder that protecting our children’s health is both a shared responsibility and a shared goal. Vaccines help keep our children and teens healthy and in the classroom. You can use any health care visit, including for sports or camp physicals, school health assessments, checkups and sick visits to ensure your child is up to date with their vaccines."
-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 all of 2025 or during any other year since 1991. Since December 2025, NC has had 24 reported measles cases – the highest number in more than 30 years. Vaccines help prevent these illnesses and keep kids in school instead of home sick.
NC does not anticipate any changes to our guidance following an Aug. 10, 2026, federal executive order on childhood vaccines.
NCDHHS remains committed to keeping all children safe and healthy in NC and maintaining the availability of life-saving vaccines.
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. Vaccines are available at private medical offices, community health centers, local health departments and pharmacies.
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
"Families and health care providers have the same goal: keeping our children healthy as they return to school. Vaccines are an essential part of this goal. Together, we can help ensure every child has the opportunity to start the school year healthy, protected and ready to learn.”
-Dr. Kelly Kimple, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Public Health
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. 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
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