Parkland community health centers offer convenient Walk-in Wednesdays for immunizations
As families prepare for the start of a new school year in August, Parkland Health physicians are urging parents not to overlook one of the most important items on their back-to-school checklist: vaccinations.
With measles cases rising in Texas and across the country, Parkland experts say immunizations remain the safest and most effective way to protect children from serious infectious diseases and help keep classrooms healthy.
“Vaccines are one of the most important steps parents can take to protect the health of their children,” said Cesar Termulo, MD, Associate Medical Director for Parkland’s Community Health Centers. “Vaccines prevent diseases that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization and missed school days. When children are vaccinated, they are protected, and so are their classmates, teachers and others in the community.”
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has reported 182 confirmed measles cases in Texas this year. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 2,170 confirmed measles cases from January through July 2026, one of the highest numbers reported in the United States in decades. Health officials also continue to monitor cases of mumps, another vaccine-preventable disease that can spread quickly in schools and other settings where people are in close contact.
“Measles and mumps can spread rapidly in communities where vaccination rates decline,” said Dr. Termulo. “These diseases can cause serious complications in both children and adults, particularly among those who are unvaccinated or have underlying health conditions that increase their risk.”
Before entering kindergarten in Texas, children are required to receive vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; polio; measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); hepatitis A and B; and varicella (chickenpox). Children enrolled in child care programs must also meet vaccination requirements. Older students are required to receive a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis booster and meningococcal vaccine.
Dr. Termulo also encourages adults to review their immunization records and talk with their healthcare provider to make sure they remain protected.
To make it easier for families to stay up to date, Parkland offers Walk-in Wednesdays for immunizations at its community health centers throughout Dallas County. Children can receive vaccinations without an appointment every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and from 1 to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are also accepted on other weekdays, although appointments are recommended.
To schedule an appointment, call 214-266-4000.
Parkland accepts Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and most major insurance plans. For families without insurance, Parkland offers financial screening to determine eligibility for assistance. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program may also provide vaccines at no cost to eligible children through age 18. The VFC program provides vaccines for children ages 18 years and younger who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible, or are American Indian or an Alaska Native.
For more information about services available at Parkland, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
For information on the VFC program, please visit www.cdc.gov/features/vfcprogram/.
