Written by Jenn Saueressig, Clinical Quality Manager
As students return to classrooms this fall, health centers play a critical role in preventing vaccine-preventable illnesses that can disrupt learning and strain families. The back-to-school period is an ideal time to boost immunization rates, engage families, and strengthen community partnerships.
High-volume contact environments such as classrooms, sports teams, and after-school programs accelerate the spread of influenza, coronavirus, meningitis, and other communicable diseases. Immunization before peak season not only protects individual patients but also reduces absenteeism, helps maintain consistent learning environments, and supports overall community health.
Key Vaccines to Prioritize This Season:
- Influenza Vaccine – Annual protection recommended for all patients 6 months and older.
- Updated Coronavirus Vaccine – This year’s updated vaccine is expected to be recommended primarily for those at high risk. Final guidance from the FDA and other organizations is anticipated in August.
- Meningococcal Vaccines – MenACWY and MenB remain critical for adolescents and young adults, especially those entering dormitory settings.
- Routine School-Required Vaccines – Ensure patients are current on MMR, Tdap, polio, varicella, and other state-mandated immunizations.
- HPV Vaccine – Continue series initiation and completion for eligible adolescents and young adults.
The spread of misinformation on social media and other channels has impacted vaccine confidence, causing some parents to hesitate due to fear, misinformation, or limited access to accurate information. Health centers can help counter this by using strategies such as motivational interviewing, building strong patient–provider relationships, offering timely follow-up communication, and making confident, evidence-based vaccine recommendations. Voices for Vaccines is an excellent resource for addressing misinformation and guiding conversations with patients and families.
Primary care providers remain among the most trusted sources of vaccine information for parents, making the back-to-school season a critical opportunity to reinforce the importance of routine immunizations. Encourage families to schedule well-child visits before school starts, allowing time to review developmental milestones, address health concerns, and bring vaccination schedules up to date. Immunizations can also be bundled with sports physicals and chronic disease check-ins to maximize efficiency.
Share consistent vaccine messages through social media, patient portals, and community partners, and promote programs like the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program to increase access for eligible families. By combining trusted communication with convenient care opportunities, health centers can help ensure students start the school year protected and ready to learn.
