Immunizations

Back to school means a long to-do list in a short time. That’s why it’s smart to make an appointment to get your child immunized now. Whether heading to kindergarten, junior high highschool or college, children need all CDC-recommended vaccines. Ask your healthcare provider about your child’s protection against vaccine-preventable diseases including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, and others.

Some vaccines need a series of doses to be effective.  Ask your doctor about your child’s schedule and make sure it’s up to date. When your child is immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases, it helps prevent outbreaks in their schools and contributes to better health for all children in Texas.

Information for Parents - Texas Vaccines for Children

The Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) program provides low-cost vaccines to eligible children from birth through 18 years of age who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Eligible for participation in the Medicaid program
• Enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)¹
• American Indian or Alaska Native (As defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603)
• Uninsured Children: Children who do not have health insurance
• UNDERinsured: Children who have commercial (private) health insurance, but
• Coverage does not include vaccines; or
• Covers only selected vaccines (TVFC-eligible for non-covered vaccines only); or
• Health insurance covers all vaccines, but the plan has a fixed dollar limit or cap on the amount that it will cover for vaccines (TVFC-eligible once fixed dollar amount or cap is reached). 

Please see the attached documents for immunization requirements by grade and an FAQ for back to school immunizations. 

For more information or additional parent resources please visit the Texas Department of State and Human Services.