Don't Wait! Vaccinate! Middle School and High School Immunizations
Updated: 2.3.11
Immunizations are not just for young children. Today's middle and high school students need protection from vaccine-preventable diseases as well. With new vaccines being licensed yearly and recommendations changing, now is the time to make sure your child's immunizations are up-to-date.
Protecting teens from vaccine-preventable diseases helps to protect entire families and communities, including infants and older adults who may be at risk for serious complications from diseases like varicella (chickenpox), pertussis and meningitis.
The Vaccines for Children Program provides childhood vaccines free of charge to qualifying children under the age of 19 years old. If your child is enrolled in Medical Assistance, uninsured or has health insurance that does not pay for any vaccines, your child might be eligible for free vaccines.
Immunizations required for Maryland schools are:
- Hepatitis B (required for Kindergarten thru Grade 11)
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) (K-Grade 12)
- Polio (K-Grade 12)
- Varicella (chickenpox) (K-Grade 11)
The following immunizations are not required for school, but ask your doctor about:
- Influenza (every year)
- Hepatitis A
- Meningococcal (meningitis)
- Pneumococcal (pneumonia)
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) (ages 10 and above)
- HPV vaccine (human papillomavirus)
What Vaccines Do You Need? Quiz
Where to go for immunizations:
Ask your family doctor about vaccines. If you do not have a doctor, the Anne Arundel County Department of Health provides routine immunizations at area health centers by appointment and through scheduled walk-in clinics. Vaccinations are free; however, donations up to $10 are appreciated. Call a health center Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., for information.
- Glen Burnie Health Center - 410-222-6633
- Parole Health Center - 410-222-7247
For more information on adolescent immunizations, call the Department of Health's Immunization Services Program at 410-222-4896.