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New School-Based Immunization Locations for All Families (reminder)

August is National Immunization Awareness Month! Throughout the month of August, families should be reminded to get back on track with routine pediatric immunizations. To prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases, all students must have up-to-date pediatric immunization certification on file with their school. Beginning on the first day of the 2021-22 school year, schools should notify any remaining non-compliant families that they must submit immunization certification within 20 school days or they will not be allowed to attend school until the immunization certification is secured by the school.
 
Students and families are encouraged to secure appointments now with their primary care physician, who will know their health history best and can support them with a full well-child visit. Families with students age 3 and older are now able to schedule routine childhood immunization appointments through vaccinate.dc.gov. Families can make an appointment at one of 37 participating sites, including many public and public charter schools regardless of a student’s school of enrollment. While many sites will also offer walk-up coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination opportunities for those age 12 and older, families are asked to make an appointment for required immunizations in advance so providers will have time to access a student’s immunization history. Families can go to vaccinate.dc.gov to sign up to receive updates about immunization appointments.

All DC residents ages 12-18, even non-DCPS students, can also get the COVID-19 vaccine at the DC Public Schools vaccine clinics and walk-up sites. Students and families can call ahead to learn more about the consent policy at a specific site as they vary by provider. The most recent and current schedule will be posted on vaccinate.dc.gov. Residents who are 12 and older and get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Anacostia High School or Dorothy Height/Benning Library will receive a $51 VISA Gift Card; residents 12-17 must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Residents 12 and older can visit vaccines.gov or text their ZIP code to GETVAX (438829) in English or VACUNA (822862) in Spanish to find their closest available COVID-19 vaccination location. Residents who are unable to leave home to get vaccinated can call 1-855-363-0333 to make an appointment for a free at-home vaccination. For additional information on the COVID-19 vaccine in the District, please contact OSSE.HealthandSafety@dc.gov.

OSSE has also updated the Immunization Attendance Policy and accompanying resources to support schools and families with understanding and meeting the requirements for pediatric immunizations. Access all the resources, including one-pagers and FAQs for families, on the OSSE website. The COVID-19 vaccine is not currently required for students.
 
For questions about the Immunization Attendance Policy, please contact OSSE.SchoolHealth@dc.gov. For questions about immunization information, data and locations where families can receive routine pediatric immunizations, contact DC Health at [email protected] or visit the DC Health Immunization Program webpage.