Tag: school immunizations

RHHD Encourages Parents and Guardians to Schedule Primary Care Appointments for Children During Summer Months

June 16, 2025
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

RHHD Encourages Parents and Guardians to Schedule Primary Care Appointments for Children During Summer Months

 RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage families to schedule a wellness visit for children with their primary care provider during the summer months. These visits allow children to receive school-required immunizations and physicals ahead of the back-to-school season.

Families can schedule appointments with a primary care physician or one of RHHD’s community partners. RHHD provides resources for families on Medicaid, Medicare, or who are uninsured at rhhd.gov/connect-pc. Please visit RHHD’s School Health Hub, Richmond Public Schools, or Henrico County Public Schools for more information.

“Summer is a great time for your child to see their primary care provider for a wellness visit,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Community Health Nurse Supervisor Virginia Slattum. “A primary care provider will make sure your child gets the immunizations and physicals they need for school and sports. Appointments may be limited closer to the start of school. Taking care of these important visits now means kids will be ready for the school year and will have more time for late-summer fun!”

School-Required Immunizations

The Code of Virginia requires children entering daycare, public and private schools to give proof of vaccination before enrollment. Parents and guardians can view the Virginia childhood vaccine schedule and can find more information on the web at School and Day Care Minimum Immunization Requirements.

The Virginia Vaccines for Children Program (VVFC) provides free or low-cost vaccines for uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid-enrolled children. Families can search for a nearby VFC provider using this tool rhhd.gov/vfc.

Families with private insurance may schedule appointments with their primary care physician, a local pharmacy, or one of RHHD’s community partners. Families can learn more by visiting rhhd.gov/childhoodvax-partners.

Families without insurance or who are enrolled in Medicaid can schedule appointments at an RHHD clinic by calling 804-205-3500 and can find more information at rhhd.gov/childhoodvax. Students must bring a guardian, a copy of immunization records, and an insurance card if they have one.

School and Sports Physicals Requirements

The Code of Virginia requires children to have a school physical before starting public kindergarten or enrolling in elementary school for the first time. During a physical, a doctor can:

  • Identify potential health issues that could impact kids’ learning
  • Ensure kids have the immunizations they need
  • Promote healthy habits

Virginia middle- and high-school student athletes must complete a sports physical with a health care professional and give pages 1-3 of the Virginia High School League (VHSL) sports physical form to their school to be allowed to participate in VHSL sports. A sports physical can help student athletes identify and manage health problems that might affect their performance or increase their chances of being injured. The physical form expires 14 months from the date of the healthcare provider’s signature on the medical eligibility page.

Most insurance plans cover sports physicals if they are done at the same time as an annual wellness visit. Some insurance plans may cover a separate visit for a sports physical. All Virginia Medicaid Managed Care plans cover separate sports physicals. Ask about the cost when you are making the appointment.

For more health and safety information, follow RHHD on Instagram at @richmondcity_hd and on Facebook, visit rhhd.gov, and sign up for RHHD’s monthly newsletter at rhhd.gov/news.

 

# # #

 

Chesterfield Health District Says Make Pediatrician Appointments Now for Your Students

May 2, 2024
Media Contact: Kristy Fowler, PR Specialist, kristy.fowler@vdh.virginia.gov

Make Pediatrician Appointments Now for Your Students

CHESTERFIELD, Va. — While most parents are making preparations before school ends, don’t forget about preparations before school begins. Making sure students have required immunizations means safer, healthier communities. Families who have preschool, 6th and 11th grade students should book an appointment for your child’s immunizations now to avoid delays when school starts in August.

LaWanda Dunn oversees nursing at the Chesterfield Health District and works with school nursing leadership to make sure students have the required immunizations.

“We always encourage people to establish regular health care with a primary care provider,” Dunn said. “It’s best to have someone who knows your health history and can determine what’s right for you.”

However, it’s difficult to get primary care appointments in a timely manner.

“Primary care appointments in central Virginia are booking months out,” Dunn said. “If you wait until summer, it will be too late.”

If you do not have a medical home or are uninsured, we have a list of providers who accept who accept Medicaid or provide services for those who are uninsured on our website.

What immunizations are state required?

The Commonwealth of Virginia requires that all children be immunized against certain diseases for admission to a public school (ref. Code of Virginia 22.1-271.2). Any student who fails to comply with the required immunizations shall be excluded from school until they are back on an immunization schedule.

  • Preschoolers will need these before starting kindergarten:
    • DTap
    • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
    • Hep B
    • Hep A
    • Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
    • Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR)
    • Polio
  • 6th grade students will need these before starting 7th grade:
    • Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap)
    • Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
    • Human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • 11th grade students will need this before starting 12th grade:
    • Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)

 Where are immunizations available?

  • Contact your healthcare professional to schedule an appointment for immunizations.
  • Urgent care clinics; check to make sure they have all required immunizations.
  • Pharmacies; check to see if a prescription is required.
  • Chesterfield County Health District offers immunizations by appointment only for children ages 18 and younger. To schedule an appointment, call Chesterfield at 804-748-1750, Colonial Heights at 804-520-9380 or Powhatan at 804-598-5680.
  • Bring your child’s immunization record and insurance card if applicable.
  • When your child has received these immunizations, provide the records to your school nurse. For more information, visit virginia.gov/chesterfield.

While you’re at your healthcare provider, make sure your kids are screened for chronic conditions and obtain any sports physicals they may need.

Don’t forget students in Virginia High School League sports need a sports physical form filled out by their healthcare provider. Visit vhsl.org and click on Parents: VHSL Physical Form.

If your child is diagnosed with asthma, you should work with your provider to develop an asthma action plan and give a copy to the school nurse to keep on file.

###

Central Shenandoah Health District Encourages Getting Back to School Immunizations Now

May 5, 2023

Media Contact:
Linda Scarborough, PIO – Western Region, linda.scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov
Laura Lee Wight, Population Health Manager, laura.wight@vdh.virginia.gov

Central Shenandoah Health District Encourages
Getting Back to School Immunizations Now

STAUNTON, Va — The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) is urging all parents or guardians of school-age children to schedule an appointment for immunizations to ensure vaccines are up to date in advance of the start of school in August 2023.

“Due to the traditional rush to get vaccinations during late summer, the Central Shenandoah Health District is encouraging everyone with school-age children to make those appointments now to get the necessary vaccines, said Dr. Elaine Perry, Interim District Health Director. “Keeping your children up to date on vaccines helps to keep them safe from potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines are important to help provide immunity, so we are recommending parents act now to ensure their children are up to date on many of the vaccines that are required to return to school.”

Vaccines are available at many pediatrician’s and family physician’s offices, as well as at local pharmacies. They are often available at no cost through health insurance benefits.

For children without health insurance or who are not able to receive their vaccines through their primary care provider, school immunization clinics are being offered at the following locations.

Appointments can be made by calling the local health department at the following numbers:

  • Harrisonburg-Rockingham Health Department: 540-574-5101
  • Staunton-Augusta Health Department: 540-332-7830
  • Lexington-Rockbridge Health Department: 540-463-3185
  • Bath County Health Department: 540-839-7246
  • Highland County Health Department: 540-468-2270

Appointments can be scheduled during the following times:

Harrisonburg-Rockingham School Immunization Clinics:
Wednesdays from 12:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Thursdays from 8:15 – 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 – 3:45 p.m.

Staunton-Augusta School Immunization Clinics:
First and Third Mondays from 8:15 – 10:45 a.m.

Second and Fourth Thursdays
from 8:15 – 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 – 3:45 p.m.

Lexington-Rockbridge School Immunization Clinics
First and Third Thursdays
(by appointment only – 540-463-3185)

Bath County School Immunization Clinics
By appointment only – 540-839-7246

Highland County School Immunization Clinics
By appointment only – 540-468-2270

Children will be able to receive vaccines regardless of insurance status, but if your child does have health insurance, please bring a copy of the insurance card.

For more information on school immunizations in Virginia, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/requirements/. For updated information from CSHD, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/central-shenandoah/.