Vaccinations: A Key Component for North Carolina Students’ Health
As students in North Carolina gear up for a new school year, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) emphasizes the critical role vaccinations play in maintaining the health and success of children and teens. Vaccines are considered essential not only for individual health but also for the wellbeing of the community.
NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai pointed out, “Back-to-school season is an important reminder that protecting our children’s health is both a shared responsibility and a shared goal. Vaccines help keep our children and teens healthy and in the classroom. You can use any health care visit, including for sports or camp physicals, school health assessments, checkups and sick visits to ensure your child is up to date with their vaccines.”
Following the federal Executive Order on childhood vaccines issued on August 10, 2026, NCDHHS reaffirmed its stance on the importance of vaccinations. The official statement highlighted how vaccines protect children, families, and communities from infectious diseases. Currently, there are no expected changes to North Carolina’s guidelines on childhood immunizations.
Vaccine-preventable diseases like meningitis, measles, and pertussis continue to pose a threat in North Carolina. The United States has already seen more measles cases in 2026 than in the entirety of 2025, with North Carolina reporting 24 cases since December 2025, marking the highest number in over three decades. Ensuring children receive routine and recommended vaccinations is crucial for their health and reduces school absences.
Vaccines are readily available across North Carolina. Parents and guardians are encouraged to consult with healthcare providers about recommended vaccinations. Options include private medical offices, community health centers, local health departments, and pharmacies. The Vaccines for Children program offers free or low-cost vaccines for eligible uninsured children up to 18 years old.
“Families and health care providers have the same goal: keeping our children healthy as they return to school,” said Dr. Kelly Kimple, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Public Health. “Vaccines are an essential part of this goal. Together, we can help ensure every child has the opportunity to start the school year healthy, protected and ready to learn.”
The NCDHHS urges parents to discuss both required and recommended vaccinations with their child’s healthcare provider. It’s also a good time to talk about seasonal vaccines, such as the flu shot for children six months and older. More details on vaccine requirements can be found on the Vaccine Requirements for K-12 School-Age Children page.
To facilitate conversations about childhood vaccinations, the NCDHHS offers a bilingual Childhood Vaccines Toolkit. This resource provides families and healthcare providers with essential information to help safeguard children’s health.
Read More Here
