The clinics are offered through the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program which provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children. Photo courtesy of Magnific

AUBURN, CA (MPG) - As families prepare for the new school year, Placer County Public Health is offering free back-to-school immunization clinics for eligible children who are uninsured or have Medi-Cal and may have difficulty accessing the vaccines required for school attendance.

The clinics will be offered in Auburn throughout July, Aug. and Sep. and are available by appointment only. To verify eligibility and schedule an appointment, parents or guardians should call 530-886-1883 or email [email protected].

Last school year, Placer County Public Health administered 1,082 routine childhood vaccinations to 438 children throughout the county, working alongside local nonprofit organizations to help connect families with needed immunization services. Recently, Placer’s kindergarten and seventh grade immunization rates have exceeded state averages.

While families are encouraged to receive vaccinations through their child’s regular health care provider whenever possible, these clinics are designed to serve children who are uninsured or who have Medi-Cal but face barriers accessing routine medical care.

California law requires children to be immunized before attending school, preschool or childcare unless they have a valid medical exemption from a licensed physician. Parents and guardians can learn more about school immunization requirements by visiting the state’s Shots for School website.

The clinics are offered through the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, which provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children. Immunizations help protect children and communities by preventing serious diseases such as measles, meningitis, polio, chickenpox and whooping cough.

For more information about school immunization requirements, recommended vaccination schedules and other immunization resources, visit the Placer County Public Health Immunization Program webpage.