Erie County Department of Health partners with Buffalo Public Schools & UB School of Nursing for back-to-school vaccine clinics

New York state law requires students to be up to date with vaccines by Sept. 17 to stay in school

Submitted by the Erie County Department of Health

The Erie County Department of Health, in partnership with Buffalo Public Schools and the University at Buffalo School of Nursing, is offering a series of free back-to-school vaccine clinics for BPS students to help them meet state immunization requirements and begin the school year healthy, protected and ready to learn.

Vaccines offered include all required school immunizations: DTap, DTP, Tdap, Td; Tdap; Polio; MMR, Hep B, Varicella, Meningococcal, Hib and PCV (pneumococcal).

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “These school-based clinics are an excellent example of public health in action. By working together with Buffalo Public Schools and the UB School of Nursing, we’re helping remove obstacles and ensuring that every student has a healthy start to the school year.”

“Every year, thousands of families scramble to get their children vaccinated in time for school,” Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein said. “While we encourage families to visit their child’s pediatrician for required and recommended immunizations, by August many providers are fully booked through the fall. These clinics help fill that gap, so students are protected and ready to learn.”

“Every student attending school in New York state, including those in Buffalo Public Schools, must receive all required vaccinations to attend classes. Families do so much to keep their children healthy – staying up to date with vaccinations is a vital part of that effort,” said Dr. Sharon Brown, Buffalo Public Schools chief of student support services. “If your child isn’t fully vaccinated, please register them for one of the free vaccine clinics at buffaloschools.org, or consult your health care provider. Children who are not fully vaccinated have less protection against serious illnesses and may risk spreading disease to others who cannot be vaccinated.”

“Our partnership with the Erie County Department of Health and Buffalo Public Schools is an opportunity for University at Buffalo School of Nursing faculty and students to serve and advance the health of our community by protecting children from preventable illnesses such as measles, mumps and rubella,” University at Buffalo School of Nursing Dean Dr. Annette Wysocki said. “These hands-on experiences strengthen our students’ clinical expertise while contributing to public health with high community impact. In today’s interconnected world, vaccination is one of the most cost-effective public health measures that carries the highest rate of return on investment as a strategic tool to safeguard health locally and globally. We are proud to join with our community in helping children stay healthy so they can learn, grow and thrive.”

Students must be up to date on vaccines by Sept. 17 to remain in school, as required by New York State Public Health Law 2164.

Families are asked to bring their child’s health insurance information to the clinic. There will be no out-of-pocket cost to the family for required vaccines, regardless of insurance status. While preregistration is encouraged, walk-ins will be accepted based on availability.

These clinics are for Buffalo Public Schools students only. Parents and guardians should bring their child’s immunization record if available. Buffalo Public Schools students must bring a completed and signed consent form that includes any health insurance information to the clinic. Parents or guardians do not need to be present for their child to receive a vaccination.

Clinic dates and locations include:

√ Thursday, Aug. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at BPS 45 International School, 141 Hoyt St. 

√ Friday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at BPS 95 Waterfront, 95 Fourth St.

√ Thursday, Sept. 18, from 2-6 p.m. at BPS 309 East Community High School, 820 Northampton 

√ Friday, Sept. 19, from 2-6 p.m. at BPS 363/415 Lewis J. Bennett/Middle Early College, 2885 Main St.

For more information, visit https://www.buffaloschools.org/o/bps/article/2333754; or on state school vaccination requirements: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/immunization/schools/school_vaccines/.