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State law requires students to be up-to-date on required vaccines or they won’t be permitted to attend school or child care, unless they have a valid exemption, according to San Mateo County health officials.
Most of the vaccine requirements apply to children entering daycare or preschool, kindergarten or seventh grade.
“Making vaccinations part of your preparation to return back to school is an important step for the new school year,” said Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County health officer. He warned that last-minute appointments could be booked up.
The county health department says immunizations to protect children and families from vaccine-preventable diseases are considered one of the greatest achievements in public health and medical science.
Health department officials say the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends an annual flu vaccination for everyone six months of age or older.
Children without health insurance, with Medi-Cal, or of American Indian or Alaskan Native descent may be eligible for vaccines at low or no cost through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. Click here for information and lists of doctors and clinics that participate in the program.
Shotsforschool.org, a website of the California Department of Public Health, has more information on school and child care vaccination requirements.
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Parents who claim an examption from vaccinating their children jeopardize the health of all other children their children contact.