DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and other city officials urged families to get their children up to date with vaccinations before the 2022-2023 school year begins at a news conference on Monday, June 6.
In an effort to assist parents in completing the required vaccinations for students, the District is planning to expand immunization access, conduct extensive outreach to families, and provide resources for schools and healthcare providers, according to Bowser.
The mayor’s remarks came during an event at Children’s National clinic at THEARC.
“We know that immunizations are essential in protecting the health of our children and our most vulnerable residents throughout our communities,” said Bowser. “We’re sending a clear message to DC families – now is the best time to visit your child’s pediatrician and have them fully up to date on their vaccinations so they can avoid missing a single day of school this fall. The District will do everything we can to make it even easier for families to access vaccinations throughout the summer.”
Medical providers are the primary option for DC families to get their children vaccinated. But if it is not possible, they can opt for pediatric clinic locations which are present in every ward. Additionally, DC Health offers the following options for the vaccination of kids:
- School-Based Health Centers for families with students ages 4 and older.
- District Mobile Medical Units which will be set up at schools, recreation centers, COVID centers, and community locations, starting in August.
- Vaccine Exchange which will be used by schools to request and coordinate on-site vaccination clinics with health providers.
“Routine childhood vaccinations are the best way parents can protect their children and community from serious diseases that spread easily,” said Dr. Thomas Farley, DC Health Senior Deputy Director of the Community Health Administration.
Farley added that unvaccinated children are more likely to catch diseases like measles and pertussis.