RALEIGH — As children and teens across North Carolina return to school this month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reminds families that vaccinations remain an important part of overall health and school success.
"Back-to-school season is an important reminder that protecting our children’s health is both a shared responsibility and a shared goal," said N.C. Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. "Vaccines help keep our children and teens healthy and in the classroom. You can use any health care visit, including for sports or camp physicals, school health assessments, checkups and sick visits to ensure your child is up to date with their vaccines."
Following the Aug. 10, 2026, federal Executive Order on childhood vaccines, NCDHHS issued a statement reaffirming that vaccinations play a vital role in protecting children, their families and entire communities from the spread of infectious diseases. At this time, North Carolina does not anticipate changes to its clinical guidance regarding childhood immunization.
Vaccine-preventable diseases, such as meningitis, measles, pertussis (whooping cough) and others, are still seen across North Carolina. Already in 2026, the U.S. has had more cases of measles reported than were reported in all of 2025 or during any other year since 1991. Twenty-four measles cases have been reported in North Carolina since December 2025, the highest number in more than 30 years. Keeping children up to date on routine and recommended vaccines is the best way to keep them healthy while reducing severe illness and unnecessary absences from school.
Vaccines remain widely accessible throughout North Carolina. Individuals and families interested in vaccination should speak with their provider about which vaccines are recommended and available to them. Vaccines are available at private medical offices, community health centers, local health departments and pharmacies. Children who are uninsured can be vaccinated at low or no cost through the Vaccines for Children program, which offers free vaccines to eligible children through 18 years of age.
"Families and health care providers have the same goal: keeping our children healthy as they return to school," said Dr. Kelly Kimple, director of the NCDHHS Division of Public Health. "Vaccines are an essential part of this goal. Together, we can help ensure every child has the opportunity to start the school year healthy, protected and ready to learn."
NCDHHS encourages all parents to talk with their child’s health care provider about required and recommended vaccinations. During the same visit, parents can also discuss seasonal vaccines, such as the flu vaccine for children ages six months and older, to ensure their child is fully protected. For more information on vaccine requirements and recommendations, check out the Vaccine Requirements for K-12 School-Age Children.
NCDHHS has a bilingual Childhood Vaccines Toolkit available that includes resources to help health care providers and families start a conversation about childhood vaccines, so parents have the information they need to protect what matters most – their children’s health.
Additional information and resources are available for parents and guardians:
