FLORIDA — It’s that time of year when summer is nearing its end and kids start preparing to go back to school.

Before you can enroll your child into a childcare facility or attend a school in Florida, students are required to have a Florida Certificate of Immunization (DH 680 form, also known as “blue card”). Parents can also look into Florida Shots, as a quick and easy way to keep track of your children’s immunization records. 

For parents who still need to get their kids updated on the required school vaccines, here’s where you can go to get free shots across the Tampa Bay area. Some families may also be eligible for the Centers for Disease Control’s Vaccines for Children Program. 

Hillsborough County

Project LINK's Back to School Health Clinics provides Medicaid or uninsured families with access to NO COST routine immunizations, school physicals and immunization records transfers. The goal is to help ensure Hillsborough County Public and Charter School students are healthy and ready for the academic year ahead.

​There are seven pop-up clinics across the county.

To view the locations, learn more and register, click here. You can also watch a story about Project Link by Spectrum Bay News 9's Jason Lanning here.

You can also contact the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County for information.

Pinellas County

The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County is offering free immunizations for students entering kindergarten and 7th grade.

The services will be provided at no cost by appointment only.  The appointments are available Monday through Thursday on select dates between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the following locations:

  • Boca Ciega High School Clinic: 924 58th St. S., St. Petersburg
  • Gibbs High School Clinic: 850 34th St. S., St. Petersburg
  • Pinellas Park High School Clinic: 6305 118th Ave N., Pinellas Park

For appointments, call (727) 824-6900 and select option 4. A parent or guardian must bring the child’s immunization and medical records and be present for services. If the parent is not able to be present, a Designation of Health Care Surrogate form must be completed in advance and brought to the appointment. Forms are located at bit.ly/SummerClinicForms

All Pinellas children entering kindergarten on Aug. 12 or any students enrolling in the state for the first time must present a school entrance physical, dated within one year of school enrollment.

For specific dates, or to contact the health department, click here.

Polk County

The Florida Department of Health in Polk County partners with the Polk County School Board to provide health services to students.

School Health Services include:

  • Health screenings (vision, scoliosis, hearing)
  • Nutrition assessments (Body Mass Index screening)
  • Health counseling
  • Referral and follow-up of suspected or confirmed health problems
  • Education that promotes healthy behavior
  • Immunization review at both public and private schools, and more.

To contact the department, click here or call (863) 519-7900.

Pasco County

The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County will offer extended hours for Back to School immunizations at the following locations:

Summit Professional, 7509 State Road 52 in Hudson

  • July 30 - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Aug. 7 - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Aug. 9 - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dade City Office, 13941 15th St. in Dade City

  • Aug. 6 - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Aug. 7 - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Pine View Middle School, 5334 Parkway Blvd. in Land O' Lakes

  • Aug. 6 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, click here or call 727-619-0300. Immunizations are free for children 18 and under. 

Manatee County

The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County offers free childhood immunizations Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please note that all vaccinations are offered on an appointment-only basis.

They are free of charge to eligible children 18 and under.

To learn more and set up an appointment, click here or call 941-748-0747 (press 4)

Hernando County

The Florida Department of Health in Hernando County will be providing free school physicals and immunization services at the Spring Hill, 7551 Forest Oaks Blvd, and Brooksville, 300 S Main St, locations.

Call 352-540-6800 for questions or to make an appointment. You can also click here for more information.

The department will also be at the following schools on the following dates/times to offer the TDAP immunization:

August 8th

  • Challenger K8 12-3 p.m.
  • Fox Chapel Middle 2-6 p.m.
  • Powell Middle 3-6 p.m.
  • West Hernando 3-5 p.m.
  • Explorer K8 10-1 p.m.
  • Winding Waters K8 9-12 p.m.

August 9th

  • D.S. Parrott 3-4 p.m.

Citrus County

The Florida Department of Health in Citrus County provides the full range of child and adult immunizations. It accepts Medicaid and participates in a program that can provide low or no cost vaccines to those without insurance or whose insurance does not cover the cost of vaccines.

Please call 352-527-0247 to make an appointment.

You can also learn more by clicking here.