The deadline for students to have all required back-to-school immunizations is Sept. 24, and the Cumberland County Department of Public Health is hosting evening immunization clinics to ensure every kindergartner and 7th- and 12th-grade students meet it.

“High childhood vaccination rates help to create community immunity, which offers widespread protection against contagious diseases, including measles,” Jennifer Green, director of the county’s public health department, said in a press release.

Residents must bring a photo ID, immunization records (if available) and insurance cards (if applicable) to participate in the clinics. 

The first 50 families at each clinic event will receive a free bag of groceries. 

A list of required vaccines and their deadlines for each grade is available on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ website and on Cumberland County Schools’ website. Students won’t be allowed to attend school until they receive the required vaccines.

Clinic dates and locations:

  • Tuesday, Sept. 9, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cumberland County Department of Public Health, located at 1235 Ramsey Street in Fayetteville
  • Monday, Sept. 22, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Spring Lake Middle School, located at 612 Spring Avenue in Spring Lake
  • Tuesday, Sept. 16, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Douglas Byrd High School at 1624 Ireland Drive in Fayetteville
  • Thursday, Sept. 18, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hope Mills Middle School at 4975 Cameron Road in Fayetteville
  • Tuesday, Sept. 23, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Gray’s Creek High School at 5301 Celebration Drive in Hope Mills

The public health department also offers the required vaccines on a walk-in basis at its Immunizations Clinic, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

“We encourage parents to come early in the summer to avoid the back-to-school rush,” Green said. “When children receive all of their immunizations on time, our whole community benefits.”

NCDHHS also has a provider map of childhood vaccines available on its Vaccines for Children Program website.

“Vaccines protect what matters most – your child’s health,” North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai said in a press release about the provider map. “We know parents want to make the best choices for their children and encourage them to talk to their child’s doctor if they have questions.”