Put Vaccines on Your Back-to-School List
Oct. 13, 2025
Getting ready for school in the fall means planning how to keep your kids and teens healthy. One of the best ways to do that is by making sure they have all their shots.
From day care to college, children of all ages need regular shots to protect them from diseases. These diseases can be serious, even deadly.
At your child’s next regular well checkup, ask the doctor if your child needs any vaccines. You can also look at your child’s vaccine records to make sure he or she is up to date.
Healthy Blue members may be eligible for free gift cards through our Healthy Rewards program for:
Completing a well-child visit.
Getting the flu vaccine.
Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine schedule* helps protect your child from birth through age 26.
- Who Needs Vaccines and Why They Help
Vaccines are like superheroes for your body. They help your immune system fight off germs that can make you sick. This is extra important in the fall when kids and teens are spending more time indoors at school.
Vaccines are especially important for kids and teens in public or private day care, preschool or elementary, middle and high school. Even older teens and young adults in college can benefit from common vaccinations. Getting the right shots at the right age can help keep them and their classmates healthy.
Illnesses such as measles, chickenpox and whooping cough can spread quickly if kids haven’t had their shots. If there’s a disease outbreak, those without vaccines might have to stay home to keep themselves safe and to protect others.
- Getting the Right Shots
Getting vaccinated is easy. You can go to your doctor, a local clinic or even a pharmacy. Some schools might also offer vaccines.
Here’s how to make a plan:
- Take your child for regular checkups.
- Ask the doctor which vaccines your child needs.
- Get a new Certificate of Immunization each time your child gets a shot.
- Give a copy of the certificate to your child’s school or day care — and keep a copy at home, as well.
- Vaccines for Kids Birth to 18 Years Old
These are the vaccines most children need:
Chickenpox
Diphtheria
Hepatitis A and B
Haemophilis influenzae type b (Hib)
Flu (influenza virus)
Measles and mumps
Polio
Pneumococcal disease
Rotavirus
Rubella
Tetanus
Whooping cough
- Extra Vaccines for Preteens and Teenagers Ages 10 to 18 Years Old
Preteens and teens should also get these vaccines:
HPV (to prevent some cancers)
Meningococcal disease
Through our Healthy Rewards program, members 13 years old as of Dec. 31, 2025, may be eligible for a free $20 gift card for getting the HPV vaccine.
- Vaccines for Young Adults Ages 18 to 26 Years Old
Young adults may need vaccines because of:
Job or college requirements.
Health conditions or lifestyle.
Get a full list of age-related vaccines through the CDC or the South Carolina Department of Public Health*. Healthy Blue also offers information about vaccines for children and adults as well as important updates about flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
For more info about vaccines or Healthy Blue benefits, call Customer Service at 866-781-5094 (TTY: 866-773-9634) Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
*The CDC and the South Carolina Department of Public Health are independent organizations that offer health information you may find helpful. They are responsible for the content and privacy policies on their sites.
If your primary language is not English, language services are available to you free of charge. Call Customer Service at 866-781-5094 (TTY: 866-773-9634) Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
‘Si habla espanol, tiene a su disposicion servicios gratuitos de assistencia linguistica. Llama al 1-866-781-5094 (TTY 866-773-9634).