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City of Austin

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Kids can get shots now for vaccinations they may have missed over the past few years

AUSTIN, Texas - Austin Public Health (APH) is encouraging families in Austin and Travis County to get kids ages 4-17 back on track with regular vaccinations before school starts in mid-August.

Kids starting kindergarten and middle school are required to get certain vaccines to protect them from serious diseases, including: 

  • Tdap vaccine, which helps keep them and their classmates safe from tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.
  • MMR vaccine, which helps keep them and their classmates safe from measles, mumps and rubella.

Catch Up on Other Vaccines

It’s a good time to get other shots that aren’t required for school but can keep kids from getting sick from other diseases, like human papillomavirus (HPV – a common virus that usually doesn’t show symptoms and can cause cancer), meningitis (an infection that can damage the brain) and COVID-19.

Vaccines are readily available to prevent many serious illnesses, including:

  • COVID-19
  • Whooping cough
  • Measles, mumps and rubella
  • Varicella
  • Meningitis
  • Shingles
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis A
  • Human papilloma virus
  • Pneumococcal
  • Polio
  • Tetanus
  • Diphtheria

These illnesses can cause serious problems for kids who get them -- and vaccines can help keep kids safe. Getting these shots can help kids stay healthy so they won’t miss school and do better in class.
Even if kids missed their shots over the past few years, it’s never too late to catch up and protect them now. Parents without insurance can get free shots for their kids at clinics through APH’s Shots for Tots clinics to help them get ready to go back to school.

Where to find vaccines

  • Call your local pharmacy.
  • Ask your health care provider.
  • Visit vaccines.gov.

Vaccines for Children

Vaccines for Children (VFC) is a federal program administered by APH. The program provides free vaccines to participating doctors’ offices, clinics and schools in Travis County. VFC serves uninsured and other eligible children from birth to 18 years of age.

To learn more or to become a participant, send an email to APH-Travis County VFC.

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