By Aldo Calvo, DO,  Medical Director, Broward Health Ambulatory Services

Back to school often elicits a myriad of emotions both from students and parents. Happiness, relief, trepidation and excitement will all intensify this fall as some students will be returning to the classroom for the first time in over a year.

Broward Health Community Health Services is proud to have relaunched Mobilize to Immunize, which offers free immunizations and low-cost physical exams through August 20 at two community health centers, conveniently located in Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach.

You can prepare your child to return to the classroom as safely as possible. That includes ensuring your child has completed their annual physical exam and is up to date on their immunizations.

The free vaccination program provides immunizations against infectious diseases such as whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, influenza, Hepatitis B and polio. Immunizations prevent dangerous sometimes life-threatening diseases such as: Chickenpox, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HPV, IPV, Measles, Meningitis, Mumps, Pertussis (whooping cough), Pneumonia, Polio, Rubella and Tetanus as well as protect against most cases of liver, cervical, and oropharyngeal/head and neck cancers.

Free immunizations are available for children 4-18 years old who are uninsured, American Indian or Alaskan native or Medicaid enrolled. A parent or legal guardian must be present and have the child’s immunization record. Please bring a current 680 immunization form to be updated. Privately insured children must see their assigned pediatrician to obtain their vaccines.

It is vital that all children are properly immunized against infectious diseases to safeguard their health and well-being. In many cases, this is lifesaving care to some of our most vulnerable children.

To schedule an appointment, please call 954-302-3935 or visit browardhealth.org.

Aldo Calvo, D.O., is a board-certified family medicine physician at Broward Health. His office is located at 1101 N.W. 1^st Street in Fort Lauderdale.