It’s July already DW fam! Which means that school is right around the corner. For the littlest students, it marks a new beginning. Let’s make sure all of the children (and adults) are protected by having all required vaccinations.

No Shots, No School.

What Parents Need to Know About Back-to-School Immunizations

Summer may be in full swing, but the new school year will be here soon. Across Dallas County, parents and school staff are preparing, and a key priority is making sure all students meet the vaccine requirements set by Texas law.


Immunizations help protect your child from serious illnesses—and help keep them in school. When kids get sick, they miss class, and parents may also miss work to care for them. But many of these illnesses are preventable with routine vaccines.

“Vaccines are one of the best ways to protect your child’s health,” said Cesar Termulo, MD, Associate Medical Director for Parkland’s network of Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) health centers.

Here’s What’s Required for Students in Texas:


Kindergarten through 12th grade:

Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (DTaP)
Polio
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Hepatitis B
Varicella (chickenpox)
Hepatitis A

For 7th grade and up:

DTaP booster (Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis)
Meningococcal vaccine

Children in daycare must also meet Texas vaccine requirements. Planning for college? Students under 22 in Texas must get a meningitis vaccine at least 10 days before the semester begins.

Parkland Health Offers Walk-in Vaccines Every Wednesday

No appointment is needed on “Walk-in Wednesdays” at Parkland’s Community Oriented Primary Care health centers throughout Dallas County. Most centers are open from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

Call ahead or check online to confirm hours and find the nearest location. You can also schedule an appointment by calling 214-266-4000 on any weekday. 

Vaccines are a simple step that can protect your child and help keep everyone healthy during the school year.  

To find a community clinic near you, visit www.parklandhealth.org/community-clinics.