Immunization & Vaccines

Immunization Updates for School 2022-23

Many children need to receive vaccines during the summer to stay up-to-date and comply with school vaccination requirements.  The 2022-23 School Year New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance can be found at:  https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2370.pdf. 

Current School Immunization Regulations for NYS

• All kids entering 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 12th grade must have the meningococcal vaccine. Without it, they cannot start school.
• School children are now mandated to be immunized with a complete series of all required vaccines — or be in the process of doing so — in order to attend classes. Under the current definition of “in process,” children who are not fully immunized can only continue to attend school or pre-K if they are in the process of completing their immunization according to the ACIP catch-up schedule. If children are following other immunization schedules that do not meet the intervals specified by the ACIP catch-up schedule, then they are no longer considered to be “in process” and must be excluded from school, if not otherwise exempt.
• New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/ Attendance (PDF download from NYSDOH website, page size 11"x17")

TCHD Immunization Clinics

Fridays 9:00 AM–12:00 PM; 1:00 PM–4:00 PM  

• If your child needs vaccines for the 2022-23 school year, please call Community Health Services at 607-274-6604.
• If you have a primary care provider or pediatrician, please contact them to make an appointment for immunizations. 

To see what vaccines are available at TCHD clinics, click here. Please bring a copy of your child’s immunization records when you come.

Be Wise, Immunize

 
The Campaign to ImmuNYze all New Yorkers is an initiative of the County Health Officials of New York (NYSACHO), bringing together patients, parents, providers and campaign partners. Our goal: to heighten awareness of the need to immunize throughout life — from infancy through senior years — by offering reliable, science-based information on vaccines and vaccine preventable diseases.

For more information, visit the Campaign to ImmuNYze web site, or download brochures here: “Be Wise, Immunize!” and “Don’t Wait, Vaccinate!”

Additional Vaccine and Immunization Information

• New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Immunization Action Coalition
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center

Immunization Schedules (CDC website)

• Infants birth through age 15 months
• Children ages 18 months through 18 years
• Adults ages 19 years and older

New York State Funded Vaccine Programs at TCHD

Tompkins County offers New York State funded vaccines at our immunization clinic for eligible children and adults. At TCHD, we provide vaccines required for school as well as those recommended by the CDC. If you have a Primary Care Provider (PCP), contact them first for your immunization needs.

Vaccines for Children (VFC)

The VFC program offers state funded vaccines to eligible children less than 19 years of age. Your children may be eligible for VFC if they:

• Are currently enrolled in Medicaid
• Have Child Health Plus
• Are underinsured: your insurance does not cover the vaccine
• Do not have insurance
• Are Native American or Alaska Native

Recommended schedule for birth through age 18

Vaccine for Adults (VFA)

The VFA program offers state funded vaccines to eligible adults ages 19 and over. You may be eligible for VFA if you:

• Are underinsured: your insurance does not cover the vaccine
• Do not have insurance
• Are enrolled in college (MMR only)

College students of any age are eligible to receive the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine through the VFA program, regardless of insurance status.

Recommended schedule for adults

 
TCHD Immunization Clinics

Fridays 9:00 AM–12:00 PM; 1:00 PM–4:00 PM  

• If your child needs vaccines for the 2022-23 school year, please call Community Health Services at 607-274-6604.
• If you have a primary care provider or pediatrician, please contact them to make an appointment for immunizations. 

Please provide a copy of your child’s immunization records.

Vaccines available at TCHD immunization clinics

• COVID-19 Vaccine (both Pfizer & Moderna, all age groups, call for availability)
• DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis)
• Hib (Haemophilus influenza type B)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza (for more info about Flu clinics, click here)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Meningococcal (MCV4)
• Polio
• Prevnar
• Td (tetanus, diphtheria)
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis)
• Varicella (chickenpox)

Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)

VIS are factsheets produced by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.) Each VIS explains to vaccine recipients, their parents, or their legal representatives both the benefits and risks of a vaccine. At any TCHD clinic, you will be provided with the specific VIS for the vaccine or vaccines you or your child are about to receive. You will also be given time to review it before the vaccine is administered.

What to do after the shots

For more information on what to do if your child has discomfort after the shots, click here (PDF, 69K).
Additional resources for parents are available from the Immunization Action Coalition (immunize.org).

Also from the Immunization Action Coalition: Clear Answers & Smart Advice about Your Baby’s Shots.

For more information on Flu shots, Rabies shots, MOMs program, Anonymous HIV counseling and testing clinics, Lead poisoning &prevention, Maternal child home visits, Ticks and Communicable Control see the Community Health Services page