Officials Urge Tulsa Students To Get Immunizations Before Back-To-School Rush

The Tulsa Health Department says now is the time to visit immunization clinics and avoid the back-to-school rush.

"Our clinics will be very busy as the first day of school approaches, which is why we recommend families have their child immunized now while there is little to no wait time," THD's Priscilla Haynes said. "Immunizations are one of the best ways to protect the health of your child against vaccine preventable diseases."

The demand for vaccines turns into a rush before school starts in August because of the booster shots that are due before children enter kindergarten. Most children entering kindergarten are required to receive a second dose of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella vaccine) and varicella, a fourth dose of polio vaccine, and a fifth does of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccines), the agency said in a news release.

Children transferring into Oklahoma schools from other states may need the hepatitis A vaccine. This vaccine is not required for all states; however, hepatitis A vaccine is required for all Oklahoma students in grades kindergarten through 12th.

Students entering the seventh grade must receive a Tdap booster. Teens in the eighth and ninth grades must also have one dose of Tdap if they have not received it already. Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).

THD provides childhood immunizations at no cost to children who qualify for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program according to the CDC's recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedule. The following insurances are accepted: Community Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Health Choice, Medicaid, SoonerCare and Medicare.

Childhood immunization clinics are available at the following times and locations:

James O. Goodwin Health Center | 5051 S. 129th E. Ave.

8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday

8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friday

Central Regional Health Center |315 S. Utica

8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday

North Regional Health and Wellness Center | 5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday


8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday

Collinsville Health Center | 1201 W. Center

8 - 11 a.m. and 1 - 4 p.m. Mondays


8 - 11 a.m. and 1 - 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays

Sand Springs Health Center | 306 E. Broadway

8 - 11 a.m. and 1 - 4 p.m. Mondays


8 - 11 a.m. and 1- 4 p.m. Wednesdays

Bixby Health Center | 8120 E. 126th St.

8 - 11 a.m. and 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays

For more information visit tulsa-health.org or call 918-582-WELL (9355).