Marin County strongly recommends vaccinating everyone 6-months and older for COVID

Marin County

Special to Marinscope

Preparing school-aged children for a healthy fall means staying up to date with immunizations. Routine childhood vaccinations are an important way to protect children – and the community – from serious diseases when they get back together on school campuses in Marin County.

Marin County Public Health officials are reminding parents to make sure their children’s vaccines are current before the first day of school. Immunizations are considered one of the greatest achievements in public health and medical science. They reduce the risk of outbreaks in our schools and protect children, families, and our community against vaccine-preventable diseases. 

California law requires that students receive certain vaccines to attend school unless they have a valid exemption. Some required vaccines include measles and pertussis (whooping cough). Families can learn more about the vaccines required for school and child care at ShotsForSchool.org. School-required vaccines apply to children entering childcare or preschool, kindergarten, seventh grade, and all new admissions. Schools across Marin are notifying parents whose children may need to catch up on required school immunizations.

While a COVID vaccination is no longer required by the state of California, Marin County strongly recommends that everyone 6-months and older get the COVID shot. According to the CDC, it is safe for children and adults to get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time they receive other vaccines. 

“During the pandemic we saw delays in normal pediatric checkups, including visits for routine vaccinations,” said Dr. Lisa Santora, Marin County Deputy Public Health Officer. “We want parents to know that if your child has missed some shots, it’s never too late. Now is the time to get back to your healthcare provider and catch up on routine immunizations.”

For children who are behind on their vaccinations, Marin County Public Health reminds parents that vaccines are proven safe and effective, helping our kids grow up happy, healthy, and strong.

Marin County was impacted by the statewide measles outbreak in 2015, when local vaccination rates were among the lowest in the state. Since then, school vaccination rates in Marin have increased to 95%. “High vaccination coverage is critical to continue protecting us from vaccine-preventable disease in our community, Dr. Santora said.

Where Does My Child Get Vaccinations for School? 

The best place to get immunizations is your doctor’s office as part of your family’s regular health maintenance. If you have health insurance, call your doctor’s office to make an appointment. Immunizations will be free and covered by your insurance. 

Local pharmacies such as CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Safeway also offer access to routine immunizations.

If you do not have health insurance, you can visit Vaccines for Children (VFC), to find local doctors offering free vaccines for uninsured children. To be eligible, children must be 18 years of age or younger and meet any one of the following criteria:

– Be eligible for Medi-Cal or Child Health and Disability Program (CHDP)

– Have no health insurance.

– Be American Indian or Alaskan Native. 

Here are some resources for vaccinations: 

Kaiser Permanente 

San Rafael Medical Center  

Phone: (415) 444-4460 

1650 Los Gamos 1st Floor San Rafael, CA 94903

Marin City Health and Wellness Center  

Phone: (415) 339-8813 

630 Drake Avenue, Sausalito, CA 94965 

Terra Linda Pediatrics

Phone: (415) 479-8642 

4000 Civic Center Drive, Suite 201, San Rafael, CA 94903 

MarinHealth Pediatrics 

Phone (415) 925-8965 

4000 Civic Center Drive, Suite 205, San Rafael, Ca, 94903 

Tamalpais Pediatrics 

Phone: (415) 892-0965 

251 Vintage Way, Novato, CA, 94945 

Tamalpais Pediatrics 

Phone: (415) 461-0440 

5 Bon Air Road, Suite 105, Larkspur, CA 94939 

Bolinas Community Health Center 

Phone: (415) 663-8666 

88 Mesa Road, Bolinas, CA 94924 

Pt. Reyes Medical Clinic 

Phone: (415) 663-8666 

3 Sixth Street, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 

While the State of California no longer requires students to be vaccinated against COVID-19, Marin County Public Health strongly recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older stay up-to-date with COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccinations to keep our community safe and healthy. According to the CDC, it is safe for children and adults to get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time they receive other vaccines. You can get COVID-19 and flu vaccines from your healthcare provider, local pharmacies, or Marin County vaccination sites.