We are pleased to announce that the Rhode Island Immunization’s “Vaccinate Before you
Graduate” (VBYG) Program is continuing to provide services in statewide public, private and alternative high schools. VBYG is now entering its sixth year having vaccinated over 10,000 students in 68 schools.
“Vaccinate Before You Graduate” is an adolescent immunization “catch-up” program. It ensures that all Rhode Island children have an opportunity to be fully immunized against vaccinepreventable diseases by accessing vaccinations that they may have missed during routine office visits. Many vaccines are now required for employment as well as college entry.
Vaccinate Before You Graduate provides free vaccinations to all seniors at Rhode Island High
Schools. These vaccinations protect teens against contagious diseases that can cause serious health problems. By collaborating with school systems, we can reach the majority of youth while they are still enrolled in high school and eligible for free vaccine through Rhode Island’s Statesupplied Vaccine (SSV) Program for children. As adults these shots can cost well over $900.00
Vaccinate Before You Graduate eliminates financial barriers to children who will likely need these immunizations and protects teens from serious diseases.
Many adolescents in Rhode Island have not received all of the vaccines currently recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. This is both because of newly available vaccines and new recommendations made to the childhood vaccination schedule. In our sixth year, we hope to introduce newly recommended vaccines such as HPV and the second dose of
Varicella.
We rely on your support to maintain a healthy school environment and ensure that all our youth are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 401-222-4624 or Kathy.Marceau @ health.ri.gov.