Health Department Announces Back to School Immunization Clinics

The Garrett County Health Department reminds parents of the required vaccines for school students.

  • A single dose of Tdap and Meningococcal vaccine is required for all students entering the 7th through 12th grades.
  • Two doses of Varicella vaccine are required for students entering Kindergarten through 6th grade.

Several clinics for students in need of these vaccines for school entry will be held in August.

Tdap, Meningococcal, MMR, and Varicella vaccines will be offered free of charge, and there will be no administration fee. Parents are asked to bring a current copy of the student’s immunization record.

Appointments will be required for all clinics and can be scheduled online at www.garretthealth.org.

To schedule an appointment at one of the clinics, click on a link of your choice.

Clinics dates, times, and locations are listed as follows:

Garrett County Health Department – Oakland – Room 205 – 1025 Memorial Drive

Garrett County Health Department – Grantsville – 28 Hershberger Lane

Both COVID vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) will be available at these clinics for children five years of age or older. These vaccines are also free of charge. Both vaccines are a two-dose series. The second Pfizer dose should be given twenty-one (21) days after the first dose, while the second Moderna dose should be given twenty-eight (28) days after the first dose. A child is considered fully vaccinated after the completion of both doses. Children that have already received their primary series should keep up to date by receiving a booster dose if eligible. Registration for this vaccine will occur on-site the day of the clinic.

Also, the Human Papillomavirus or HPV vaccine will be available at these clinics to age-eligible students. The HPV vaccine is recommended for girls 9 to 26 years of age and boys 9 to 21 years of age to help prevent certain cancers caused by HPV infection, including cervical, vulvar, vaginal, oral, penile, and anal cancers. HPV will be offered at no charge for Vaccines for Children eligible students, which includes those who have Medicaid, are uninsured, or whose insurance does not pay for the vaccine. There will be an administration fee for these students. Students with commercial insurance should bring a valid insurance card so their insurance can be billed for the HPV vaccine.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Health Department at 301-334-7770 or 301-895-5355.