Healthy Living: Back-to-School Immunizations: Protecting Our Children and Community

Each year, National Immunization Awareness Month and the start of the school year serve as important reminders of the role vaccines play in keeping children healthy, in school, and ready to learn. Immunizations remain one of the most effective ways to prevent serious illnesses and protect the health of entire communities.

As families prepared for the 2026–2027 school year, Bay Area Community Health expanded access to childhood immunizations across its health centers and school-based clinics. Between July 1 and September 15, 2026, more than 1,670 children and youth received recommended vaccines and immunization services through Bay Area Community Health.

These efforts helped ensure students met school immunization requirements while protecting against vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, meningitis, polio, hepatitis, HPV, and other serious illnesses.

To support families during the back-to-school season, Bay Area Community Health:

• Provided immunizations at health centers and school-based clinics throughout Alameda and Santa Clara counties.

• Hosted Back-to-School Immunization Events to increase access before the start of the school year.

• Reviewed children's immunization records and identified needed vaccines.

• Answered questions about vaccine safety and effectiveness.

• Connected eligible families with health insurance enrollment assistance.

While the Back-to-School Immunization Events have concluded, Bay Area Community Health continues to provide childhood immunizations year-round. Families can schedule an appointment at any time to ensure their children remain healthy, protected, and up to date on recommended vaccines.