School prep: No-charge back-to-school vaccination clinics

The start of the new school year is less than a month away. That means it’s time to get K-12 students up to date on the vaccinations required by the state. According to officials at Public Health Seattle & King County (PHSKC), childhood vaccination rates have fallen in recent years due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

That’s why the Go Vax Kids program and its partners will offer no-charge vaccination clinics this month, starting in South King County.

“We are able to protect our children and community from serious illnesses because of childhood vaccinations,” said Dr. Eric Chow, Chief of Communicable Disease and Immunization, Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Vaccines have made a significant impact on what used to be common, life-threatening childhood infections. To prevent diseases like childhood measles, polio, and whooping cough from coming back into our communities, we have to continue to work towards making sure a majority of children are vaccinated.” 

Vaccine coverage has dropped

There’s still some distance to go in that regard. According to county public health officials, coverage among kindergarten students in King County dropped from a high of 92% during the 2019-20 school year to a low of 88% during the 2022-23 school year and has remained at this rate over the past year. More specifically, just 92% of incoming kindergartners in King County in 2023-24 were vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella. This is three percentage points below the U.S. Department of Human Services’ Healthy People 2030 goal of 95%, which is commonly regarded as the vaccination rate needed to achieve herd immunity. 

This week, the health department encouraged families to “beat the back-to-school rush” and make vaccination appointments with their kids’ healthcare providers in August or before the first day of school. The department also announced upcoming no-charge vaccine clinics orchestrated by Go Vax Kids, local school districts, and community partners. Events take place between now and August 29. During clinics, children will receive all vaccines required for school and other vaccines recommended for children from birth to age 18 at no charge.

The school vaccine list includes Tdap, DTaP, MMR, hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), and polio. Clinics will also provide COVID-19 (as available), HPV, and meningococcal shots.  

What to know before you go

Check Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Where to Get Vaccinated in King County webpage for a broader list of free vaccination events, locations, and times. The webpage is continuously updated as additional events are scheduled. Regarding the free clinics, the health department emphasized that:

• Children who are uninsured, experiencing homelessness, or have recently moved to the U.S. and do not have a healthcare provider are urged to attend. 
• Children do not need to be established patients to receive free vaccinations. Go Vax clinics and vaccinations will be available regardless of immigration or citizenship status. 
• Families may be asked for insurance information but will not be charged. No one will be turned away for lack of insurance. 
• Families are strongly encouraged to bring any vaccination records from other states or countries. 
• Pre-registration is encouraged, but drop-ins are welcome.
• Kids should wear short sleeves.
• Limited vaccines will be available for uninsured adults.
• Interpretation service is available upon request. 

Where to go for free back-t0-school vaccines

The Go Vax Kids K-12 vaccine clinics will be held in the following locations:

Find a complete list of vaccinations required by the Washington State Department of Health for students attending K-12 school and child care, on the department’s website.

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