Free Back To School Vaccine Clinics

Now is a great time to get children ready for school without feeling pressured. Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amer, MD, would like parents to place immunizations at the top of their summer to-do lists, along with summer reading and math and back to school shopping.

"To help your children stay healthy year-round, now is the best time to schedule an appointment with your child's healthcare provider to ensure they will have the immunizations they need," Dr. Amler said. "This will also help you avoid potential delays in starting school this fall."

For children who are uninsured or whose insurance doesn't cover immunizations, the Westchester County Health Department is offering free immunizations by appointment during special back to school clinics now through September, for children ages 12 months to 18 years old.

Call today for an appointment.  For the health department clinic in Yonkers, at 20 S. Broadway, call 914-231-2500. The dates are as follows:

• Thursday, July 24, 4 pm to 6 p.m.
• Monday, July 28, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 22, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 2, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 4, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 5, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

For the health department clinic in White Plains, at 134 Court St., call 914-995-5800. The dates are as follows:

• Friday, July 18, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Friday, July 25, 1p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Thursday, July 31, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 21, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 3, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 23, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Have ready when you call:

• name, address and date of birth of the child
• country of birth
• emergency contact information
• number of family members

Bring to your appointment:

• Child's most recent immunization record
• School immunization request form
• Insurance information if any

New state regulations for school admissions require schools to more closely scrutinize children's immunization records to make sure they have had the needed vaccines and that these vaccines have been spaced apart according to federal recommendations. These updated regulations provide increased protection against illnesses like whooping cough, which have been reported in school-age children in Westchester, as well as measles and mumps, which have had recent outbreaks in New York City.