LINKS/LISTEN: Back To School Shot Requirements

With school starting in a few weeks, now is the time to check with your child's doctor to make sure he or she doesn't need a shot or two.

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rosha McCoy says time is needed to build up an immunity, and some kids won't be allowed into class if they don't have their immunization certificates.

Click here to see the requirements from the Florida Department of Health.

"Teens are an important group to look at to make sure they're maintaining their immunity. They may need their HPV vaccine to protect against Human Papillomavirus. And then meningococcal vaccine is important before college entry," stresses Dr. McCoy.

She reminds everyone shots are safe and effective. "The data on autism and vaccines have been totally disproven. There's really no good evidence that there's a link between vaccines and autism."

Dr. Rosha McCoy

She adds vaccines are a key component in keeping children and adults safe while, "We know that some of these diseases like chickenpox and measles can be very serious, and there are a proportion of kids who die every year."

Key vaccines are being offered on Saturday, August 3rd at nearly a dozen locations as a part of Vaccinate Broward. The joint initiative between Broward Health, Memorial Healthcare System and Community Care Plan offers kids and young adults from four to 20-years-old free shots and lessons in disease prevention.

Vaccines to be offered include:

· DTaP: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

· IPV: Inactivated Poliovirus

· MMR: Measles-Mumps-Rubella

· Varicella: Chickenpox

· HPV: Human Papillomavirus Infection

· Tdap: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

· Meningococcal: Meningitis

Free vaccinations will be available at:

Broward Health:

Broward Health Weston | 2300 N. Commerce Pkwy., Weston, FL 33326

Broward Health Coral Springs Medical Office Building| 3100 Coral Hills Dr., Coral Springs, FL 33065

Lauderdale Lakes Health Center | 3716 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33311

Pompano Pediatric Center | 601 W. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital | 1600 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

·Memorial Primary Care:

Memorial Primary Care - Dania Beach | 140-A S. Federal Hwy., Dania Beach, FL 33004

Memorial Primary Care - Hallandale Beach | 1750 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale Beach, FL 33009

Memorial Primary Care - Hollywood | 4105 Pembroke Rd., Hollywood, FL 33021      

Memorial Primary Care - Pembroke Pines | 2217 N. University Dr., Pembroke Pines, FL 33024

Memorial Primary Care - West Miramar | 10910 Pembroke Rd., Miramar, FL 33025

For more information and to pre-register click here.

Miami-Dade Health Department clinics also offer free back to school shots at:

Downtown Clinic

1350 NW 14th Street

Miami, Florida 33125

Mon. – Fri. (8:00 am – 3:30 pm)

Little Haiti Health Center

300 NE 80th Terrace

Miami, Florida 33138

Mon. - Fri. (8:00 am – 3:30 pm)

West Perrine Center

18255 Homestead Avenue

Miami, Florida 33157

Mon.- Fri. (8:00 am – 3:30 pm)

There will also be a special event on August 17th.


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content