Western North Carolina Back-to-School Immunization Guide

WNC --  August 11, 2025:  As students return to school for the 2025-2026 academic year, families in Western North Carolina are dealing with a rise in vaccine-preventable diseases and changes to federal vaccine recommendations.

Local health officials are urging parents to ensure their children's immunizations are up-to-date, while shifts at the national level have created new considerations for vaccine access and guidance.

North Carolina's Mandatory Immunization Schedule
North Carolina law mandates that all students, regardless of school type, must be immunized against a list of diseases. A "certification of immunization" must be submitted to the school within 30 days of a child's first day. Medical and religious exemptions are permitted, but for the 2024-2025 school year, 3,948 exemptions were reported in the state.

Symptoms for the illnesses addressed by mandatory vaccines include:

Measles: The virus typically presents with cold-like symptoms such as a high fever, runny nose, and cough. A characteristic rash of small red spots begins on the face and spreads to the body.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis): This bacterial infection starts with mild, cold-like symptoms. It progresses to severe, uncontrollable coughing fits that can produce a "whooping" sound as a person gasps for air. The whoop may be absent in infants, who may instead experience pauses in their breathing.

The most common places to get routine childhood vaccines are your pediatrician's office or a local health department.

Rising Cases and Federal Policy Changes

In Western North Carolina, health officials have confirmed an increase in whooping cough cases. For instance, Haywood County reported 13 cases as of August 1. The state also recorded its first confirmed case of measles in 2025, which was in a child visiting Forsyth and Guilford counties.

Recent federal actions have impacted vaccine policy. According to NC Health News, on June 9, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP, a CDC committee, is responsible for making vaccine recommendations. The New York Times reported on June 26 that a new advisory panel voted to alter recommendations for flu vaccines by removing an ingredient falsely linked to autism.

These changes could have practical effects. Rose Hoban of NC Health News noted that a reduction in ACIP-recommended vaccines could affect the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which relies on the committee's guidance for vaccine coverage.

Furthermore, the CDC has revised its stance on the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children. The CDC's website no longer contains a general recommendation for all healthy children but instead states that parents should make that decision in consultation with their healthcare provider. The NC DHHS advises parents to discuss vaccines for flu, COVID, and RSV with their healthcare providers, noting that RSV is a leading cause of infant hospitalizations.

Pediatrician's Office: Your child's regular healthcare provider is a primary and trusted source for vaccines. You can schedule an appointment for routine check-ups and vaccinations at the same time. They can also answer any questions you have about the immunization schedule.

Local Health Department: Public health departments often have immunization clinics that provide vaccines for children. They may also participate in programs like the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which provides no-cost vaccines to eligible children.

WNCTimes

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