Maryland law requires students to be vaccinated against a variety of diseases. With school starting in less than a month, Montgomery County is urging parents to review their children’s immunization record. The list of vaccine requirements may be found on the Maryland Health Department’s website.
Children attending Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) must have up-to-date immunizations for the school year that starts on Monday, Aug. 28. Parents need to submit documentation with proof of immunization or proof of a scheduled appointment for immunization before the first day of school. 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.
Parents can access their child’s vaccination record online at the Maryland Department of Health’s web portal. They can view and print official copies of vaccination records without a request to their health care provider.
For parents unsure what vaccinations their children have received, the Maryland Department of Health’s web portal allows free access to immunization records online. Immunization records can be viewed and printed directly from the site with no requests needed from healthcare providers.
Children with private health coverage should contact their primary health care provider to schedule an appointment for the required immunizations.
The county offers free back-to-school vaccine clinics during the month of August. Vaccines offered at back-to-school clinics are Tdap, meningococcal (MCV4), meningococcal B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Varicella (chickenpox).
Vaccination Clinic Schedule
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 to 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
COVID_19 vaccinations also available for ages 5 years and older
Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are preferred.
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will hold free child vaccination clinics during August to help parents prepare for the 2023-2024 school year.
Learn more about the clinic schedule here ➡️ https://t.co/yGebNciW6y pic.twitter.com/WQOEpjZtC5
— Montgomery County DHHS (@MoCoDHHS) August 3, 2023
The School Health Services Immunization Center, located at 4910 Macon Rd in Rockville is also open for back-to-school immunizations:
Monday to Friday (until Aug. 11)
8:30 a.m. to Noon
240-740-4430
By appointment.
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.
More information on the Immunization Center may be found on the Health Department website.
Vaccines Available Throughout the Year
The County Health Department also offers childhood immunizations throughout the year for eligible children through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. Children must be 18 years and younger and meet at least one of four criteria to be eligible for the VFC program—child does not have health insurance, child’s health insurance does not cover vaccines, child is covered by Medial Assistance, child is Alaskan native or American Indian.
Appointments for the VFC program are available at:
- Dennis Avenue Health Center
2000 Dennis Avenue
Silver Spring
Phone: 240-777-1050 - Germantown Health Center
12900 Middlebrook Road
Germantown
Phone: 240-777-3380
