Back-To-School, supported by Vaya Health

Summer is ending, and back-to-school efforts are in full swing across the state. As part of Vaya Health’s continued commitment to the well-being and success of students, we’re working to support back-to-school initiatives that ensure students are equipped with the health and wellness resources needed for a successful academic year.

Back-to-School Immunizations

National Immunization Awareness Month in August reminds us that vaccinations are a great tool to keep kids healthy, in school, and ready to learn. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released updated vaccination schedules for 2025, emphasizing that immunizations remain “the safest and most cost-effective way of preventing disease, disability and death.”

North Carolina law requires that all children must get certain vaccines. When children start kindergarten, seventh grade, and twelfth grade, their school will check to make sure they have their needed vaccines. This is true for all schools, including public, private, and religious schools.

Vaya encourages caregivers to contact the child’s pediatrician as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for the required vaccines, and to make sure to get a printout of vaccination records to give to the school. If students don’t have the vaccine 30 days after school begins, they won’t be able to attend school until they show proof vaccination.

“Vaccines protect what matters most — your child’s health,” said Dr. Lorena Wade, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Vaya. “Vaya strives to provide access to vaccinations among school-aged children and encourages people to talk to a healthcare provider they trust about staying up to date on vaccinations.”

In the interest of helping school-aged members be healthy and stay well, Vaya offers incentives for Vaya Total Care members to encourage healthy habits and help prevent illness. Vaya works with local communities to promote vaccines and keep our members healthy. We offer up to $20 in gift cards to Walmart, Amazon, or Target for members who receive COVID-19 and/or influenza vaccines during the plan year.

Members can request a gift card after a qualifying event. The member can:

• Log in to the Member and Recipient Portal to request a gift card
• Talk to their care manager or care coordinator to request a gift card

Talking to Children about Vaccines

Does your little one have the pre-shot scaries? Here are some tips on what to say to help your child prepare for immunizations:

• “Vaccines help keep us safe.”
  The vaccines teach your body how to fight off illness so you don’t get really sick. We get vaccines so we can go to school and keep everyone safe, like our family and friends.
• “You’ll feel a little pinch.”
  When you get it, it will feel like a quick pinch on your arm or leg, and then it will be over. It will feel better quickly, and I’ll be here with you. You’ll get a Band-Aid, and we might wait a little bit while before we leave.
• “You might feel a little sore or tired later.”
  Later on, or maybe the next day, you might feel tired or like you have a cold. That’s the vaccine working, and your body is learning how to protect you. Tell us how you’re feeling. If you feel really bad, we’ll call the doctor.

Teenagers ages 13+ are prone to believing they’re invincible, so they may question the necessity of vaccines. Appeal to their growing sense of social responsibility by discussing:

• How vaccines not only protect the individual, but also vulnerable members of the community through herd immunity
• The dangers of vaccine-preventable diseases and the historical toll they took before widespread immunization
• The rigorous scientific process behind vaccine development and approval

Community Events

As the back-to-school season gains momentum, Vaya is participating in events across the following counties, designed to provide resources and support for a successful transition into the fall semester: