Over the next several weeks, kids will start heading back to school for the 2025-2026 school year. For many, that means getting up to date on mandatory vaccinations.
Health districts throughout Southwest and Southside Virginia offer free vaccinations — whether during normal office hours or at special immunization clinics — for kids entering kindergarten, seventh grade and 12th grade. Proof of vaccination is required on the first day of school.
Vaccinations prevent infectious diseases that, in the past, could be life-threatening, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These vaccines also reduce absences due to illness.
Medical and public health experts develop vaccine recommendations and schedules for children and adults, forming a national board called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The committee meets three times a year to discuss the safety and need for different vaccines.
The CDC then sets the immunization schedules based on recommendations from the committee. Childhood schedules must also be approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
The Virginia Department of Health recommends parents talk to their child’s doctor about vaccinations. School-required immunizations are available at the offices of pediatricians, pharmacies and all local health departments. Appointments or early registration may be required.
Kids entering kindergarten are required to have five doses of diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough; four doses of polio vaccine, with one on or after the fourth birthday; two doses of varicella vaccine for chickenpox; two doses of measles and mumps vaccine and one dose of rubella vaccine; three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine; and two doses of hepatitis A vaccine.
Those going into seventh grade need another dose of the vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough; one dose of the meningococcal vaccine, which protects against meningitis; and two doses of the vaccine for human papillomavirus.
Twelfth graders are required to have an additional dose of the vaccine that protects against meningitis.
All students must provide proof of immunization or an exemption form before school starts. In Virginia, families can request a religious exemption from school-required vaccinations by submitting a Certificate of Religious Exemption form. This waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian and notarized. It allows children to attend school without receiving the mandated immunizations.
The following listed health districts will provide school-required immunizations at no cost. For kids who don’t have a primary pediatrician or access to a free vaccination clinic, appointments can be made with Vaccines for Children, a state program that provides free immunizations to eligible children.
Central Virginia Health District
The Central Virginia Health District will host free vaccination clinics for incoming seventh and 12th graders.
- Aug. 7 at Amherst County High School from 1 to 6 p.m.
- Aug. 11 at Liberty High School from 3 to 7 p.m.
- Aug. 11 at Staunton River High School from 3 to 7 p.m.
Cumberland Plateau Health District
Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell health departments offer vaccination appointments during regular clinic hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
LENOWISCO Health District
Lee, Scott and Wise counties and Norton city health departments offer vaccination appointments during regular clinic hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Mount Rogers Health District
Galax High School, 200 Maroon Tide Drive, Galax
- Aug. 14 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. (Registration is required: middle school | high school)
Galax City Health Department, 502 S. Main St., Galax
- Aug. 12 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Carroll County Health Department, 605-15 Pine St., Hillsville
- Aug. 6 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Grayson County Health Department, 186 W. Main St., Independence
- Aug. 11 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Virginia Middle School, 501 Piedmont Ave., Bristol
- Aug. 11 from 1 to 5 p.m. (Registration is required: middle school | high school)
Bristol City Health Department, 341 Piedmont Ave.
- Aug. 12 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Aug. 13 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Washington County Health Department, 15068 Lee Highway, Suite 1000, Bristol
- Aug. 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Aug. 6 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Aug. 7 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Smyth County Health Department, 201 Francis Marion Lane, Marion
- Aug. 4 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Aug. 6 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Aug. 7 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wythe County Health Department, 290 S. Sixth St., Wytheville
- Aug. 6 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Aug. 8 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bland County Health Department, 209 Jackson St., Bland
- Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Aug. 12 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts
Vaccination appointments can be made by calling 540-283-5050.
West Piedmont Health District
Henry-Martinsville Health Department will offer walk-in appointments from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. on Aug. 14, 21 and 28.
The Franklin County Health Department also offers immunizations on a walk-in basis. Clinic hours:
- Aug. 11, 9-11:30 a.m.
- Aug. 15, 9-11:30 a.m.
- Aug. 19, 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
- Aug. 22, 9-11:30 a.m.
The Patrick County Health Department will provide immunizations on Mondays by appointment only.
