Free Back to School Shots for Kids in Westchester County NY

Make sure your child is up-to-date with the school vaccines required by New York state. The Westchester County Health Department is offering free back-to-school immunization clinics in August, September, and October for children who do not have health insurance or a primary care provider. The clinics will be held at the department's Yonkers and White Plains district offices. Read on for details.

It takes more than a backpack filled with notebooks and pencils to get ready for school. The Westchester County Health Department is reminding parents and guardians to schedule an appointment with their child's healthcare provider now to ensure children will have the immunizations required by New York State to start school on time. The nationwide outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) last year and the national and international measles outbreaks this year serve as important reminders of the need to ensure county residents are up-to-date with recommended vaccinations.

For children who have neither health insurance nor a primary care provider, the Westchester County Health Department will offer free immunizations by appointment during special back-to-school immunization clinics. During these clinics, facilitated enrollers will be on hand to help parents and guardians sign their children up for the health insurance they need. Families without a regular doctor also will receive information about where to go for ongoing pediatric primary care.

Appointments will be made on a first come, first served basis during special sessions from Wednesday, August 10 through Wednesday, October 12.  If your child does not have health insurance and needs shots required for school, call the Westchester County Department of Health district offices to schedule an appointment. To schedule an appointment at the Yonkers District Office, call 914-231-2500. To schedule an appointment at the White Plains District Office, call 914-995-5800.

The schedule is as follows:

Yonkers District Office, 20 South Broadway, 2nd floor, Yonkers

914-231-2523

Wednesday, August 10, 9am-12pm
Tuesday, August 16, 4-6pm
Wednesay, August 24, 9am-12pm
Wednesday, September 14, 9am-12pm
Wednesday, September 28, 9am-12pm
Wednesday, October 12, 9am-12pm

White Plains District Office, 134 Court Street, White Plains

914-995-5800

Friday, August 12, 9am-12pm
Friday, August 26, 9am-12pm
Friday, September, 9, 9am-12pm
Friday, September, 23, 9am-12pm
Monday, August 29, 4-6pm

For more information on immunizations and vaccine-preventable diseases, contact the Westchester County Department of Health Immunization Action Program at 914-813-5000 or visit www.westchestergov.com/health.