Free Back-to-School Vaccination Clinics to be Held in August

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will hold free child vaccination clinics during August to help parents prepare for the 2023-24 school year. Pre-K and pre-school students are welcome to attend, although the majority of vaccines offered at the clinics are for older children.

Maryland law requires students to be vaccinated against a variety of diseases. Students who do not have proof of the required vaccinations on the first day of school must show proof of a vaccination appointment scheduled within 20 calendar days.

“Making sure kids are up to date on required immunizations should be at the top of the list as parents get their students ready to go back to school again,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “It is important to keep children healthy and I encourage parents to take advantage of the free vaccinations offered at our upcoming clinics.”

The back-to-school vaccine offerings include:

• Tdap
• Meningococcal (MCV4)
• Meningococcal B
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Varicella (chickenpox)

The schedule for County-operated vaccination clinics:

• Tuesday, Aug. 15. 8:30-11:30 a.m. Dennis Avenue Health Center, 2000 Dennis Ave., Silver Spring. 240-777-1050. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.
• Tuesday, Aug. 22. 8:30-11:30 a.m. Dennis Avenue Health Center, 2000 Dennis Ave., Silver Spring. 240-777-1050. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.
• Wednesday, Aug. 23. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Germantown Health Center, 12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown. 240-777-3380. By appointment.
• Wednesday, Aug. 23. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Silver Spring Health Center, 8630 Fenton St., 10th floor, Silver Spring. 240-777-3160. By appointment.
• Saturday, Aug. 26. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. MCPS Back-to-School Fair, Westfield Wheaton Mall 11160 Veirs Mill Rd., Wheaton. School vaccinations and COVID-19 vaccinations will be available for children ages 5 and older. Walk-ins welcome, but appointments are preferred. Call 240-777-1050 for an appointment.

The School Health Services Immunization Center, located at 4910 Macon Rd. in Rockville, is also open for back-to-school immunizations. The schedule for its clinics:

• Monday, Aug. 14. 8:30 a.m. noon. 240-740-4430. By appointment.
• Thursday, Aug. 17. 8:30 a.m.-noon. 240-740-4430. By appointment.

DHHS offers childhood immunizations throughout the year for eligible children through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. To be eligible for the VFC program, children must be 18 nd younger and meet at least one of the following:

• Does not have health insurance.
• Has Medical Assistance.
• Has health insurance that does not cover vaccines.
• Is Alaskan native or American Indian.

Visit the Immunization Program website for more information on locations where year-round appointments are available.

Visit the Maryland Department of Health’s website to learn more about vaccination requirements for the 2023-2024 school year. Learn more about DHHS’ partnership with MCPS to provide school-based health services on the MCPS website.