During the summer months, many parents vaccinate their school-aged children in preparation for the upcoming school year. The summer is the busiest season for immunizations. The Miami-Dade County Health Department wants parents and pediatricians to know that anytime is a great time to vaccinate children. It is recommended that parents check their child’s immunization records throughout the school year. Parents are encouraged to beat the summer rush by vaccinating their children during the winter and spring seasons. Vaccinating children before summer allows parents to plan ahead and avoid busy office and clinic wait times. This is also a good time for health care providers to immunize children with recommended vaccines. Providers should review immunization records with parents during every well-child visit to reduce missed opportunities for vaccinations.Miami-Dade County has a population of 2.5 million with over half (50.9%) of the county’s population being foreign-born. Due to our large immigrant population, vaccine catch-up schedules are very common. Parents whose children follow immunization “catch-up schedules” should consider obtaining their child’s needed vaccines before the summer season. It is also important that parents of children who have a temporary medical exemption on their DH 680 (Florida Certification of Immunization) consult with their child’s health care provider to attain the required vaccines for school compliance.
Disease prevention is essential to public health. Vaccines are responsible for the control of many infectious diseases that were once common in this country such as polio, measles, and diphtheria. Increasing immunization coverage rates may stop vaccine preventable disease outbreaks and save lives.
The Miami-Dade County Health Department Immunization Program provides free vaccines to all school-aged children (0 to 18) that visit our clinics. The program also provides trainings for health care providers on immunization practices and vaccine requirements. To schedule an appointment or request a training session, contact us at (786) 845-0550.
