The start of the 2024-2025 school year in Montgomery County is less than a month away. Parents already are thinking about what they need to get done before the first school bell rings. That includes making sure their children have the vaccines they need so they can attend class.
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is offering free vaccinations for school-aged children (pre-K through high school) at locations throughout the County until the end of September.
Any child who has not had the required vaccines is eligible for the free shots.
“Ensuring our children are up to date with their vaccinations is both critical for their health, and it is also required by law for students to attend Montgomery County Public Schools,” said County Executive Marc Elrich.
“We’re making it easier for families by offering these free ‘back-to-school’ vaccinations at multiple locations. Parents can beat the rush and stress of getting appointments at doctors’ offices by taking advantage of these easy-to-access clinics throughout the County,” he added.
Free Shots Offered
The Back-to-School vaccine offerings include:
- Tdap
- Meningococcal (MCV4)
- Meningococcal B
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- COVID-19
Health Center Locations
Parents can get their children vaccinated at the following locations:
- Dennis Avenue Health Center, 2000 Dennis Avenue, Silver Spring
- Germantown Health Center, 12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown
- Silver Spring Health Center, 8630 Fenton Street, Silver Spring
- School Health Services Immunization Center, 4910 Macon Rd., Rockville
The County requests parents make an appointment. However, parents and their children can also walk in if time slots are available. A parent must bring his or her ID, and their child’s immunization record if available.
The state requires students attending pre-school from age 1 through high school get vaccines for various diseases that include Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chicken Pox, Hepatitis B, and Polio to name a few.
Student-Athlete Physicals
Vaccines are not the only concern for some parents especially if their child is a student-athlete. High school students must get an annual physical before they can compete in practices, games, or conditioning programs. The fall sports season is just around the corner, so students participating in those activities need to get their physicals complete in the next couple of weeks. Meantime, students in middle school must have a physical every two years if they want to compete in athletic programs.
The County has a number of School-Based Health and Wellness Centers where students can get their physicals if they live within the zip code of the school.
