If you’ve landed on this page, there’s a good chance your child is heading back to school—and you’re trying to check all the boxes before the first day. Between shopping for school supplies, new shoes, and planning pickup and drop-off routines, the last thing you need is stress over where to get school vaccines, physicals, or checkups.
As a trusted pediatric office serving Huntsville families for over 40 years, we understand how to make this part simple. Whether your child needs back-to-school vaccines, a sports physical, or just a well-child exam, Huntsville Family Health Center is here to help!
At Huntsville Family Health Center, We Provide:
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Back-to-school vaccines required by Alabama schools and daycares
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Sports physicals for school or league participation
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Catch-up checkups for kids who’ve missed wellness visits
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We accept most insurance plans, including Medicaid, and offer an income-based sliding fee scale for families without insurance coverage.
Back-to-School Checkups in Huntsville: What to Expect
Here’s what your child’s appointment might look like:
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- If they need vaccines: We’ll check what’s due and administer the shots gently.
- If they need a sports physical: Bring any forms from your child’s coach, school, or program. We will ensure we give you a thorough physical and provide you with completed paperwork.
- If your child needs a full checkup or has missed appointments: We’ll cover growth, development, nutrition, behavior, to help get your child ready for the school year ahead.
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If we notice anything that needs more attention, like labs or X-rays, we can take care of most things right here in our building.
Alabama School Vaccine Requirements: What Parents Need to Know
Before your little (or not-so-little) one heads to daycare, Head Start, or any Alabama school, you’ll need an Alabama Certificate of Immunization (commonly called the blue card). Here’s a quick checklist you can save to your fridge—or your phone’s notes app.
Daycare & Head Start Vaccines
Your child should already be getting these during regular well-child visits:
- DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
- PCV (Pneumococcal)
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Polio
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
Kindergarten–12th Grade Vaccine Checklist
| Vaccine | How Many? | Pro Tip |
| DTaP | 5 doses* | *Only 4 needed if the last shot was after age 4 |
| Polio | 4 doses* | *Only 3 needed if the last shot was after age 4 |
| MMR | 2 doses of measles + 1 mumps + 1 rubella (usually two combined MMR shots) | |
| Varicella | Required for all K-12 | If your child has already had chickenpox, a doctor’s note or positive test is accepted instead of the vaccine. |
| Tdap booster | Required for 6th grade |
| Booster reminder: After preschool, plan for a tetanus booster (Td or Tdap) every 5–10 years.
Vaccines for College
Alabama doesn’t set state rules for college vaccines, but most campuses do—especially if your student is dorm-bound. Typical add-ons:
- Meningococcal vaccine
- A fresh physical exam
- TB screening
Check with the college well before move-in so there are no surprises on registration day.
Not sure what your child is due for? Don’t worry—we’ll check their records and let you know exactly what’s needed.
Medication Forms for School or Daycare
If your child attends daycare, after-school care, or has a chronic health condition, you might be asked to submit a signed form for any medications.
Medication Authorization for Huntsville City Schools:
If your child needs to take medication during the school day, you’ll need to complete the official Alabama Prescriber/Parent Authorization Form. You can access the form directly here: Alabama Prescriber/Parent Authorization Form (PDF)
Act Now on Overdue Well-Child Exams
Annual well-child visits aren’t just another checkbox—they help us track your child’s growth, development, and mental wellness. If you’ve missed any visits this past year, now’s a great time to catch up. It’ll help your child start the school year strong—and help you avoid sick days and surprise issues later.
Cost and FAQs
We accept: Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, TRICARE, Alabama Medicaid, and more. No insurance? Ask about our income‑based sliding‑fee scale.
Q: I lost my blue card. How do I get a new one?
No worries—these things happen! If your child is a patient at one of our Family Health Centers, we can print a new Alabama Certificate of Immunization for you. Just give us a call or stop by.
Q: I applied for Alabama Medicaid but don’t have a card yet. Can I still bring my child?
Absolutely. We can check the Medicaid portal for eligibility—even if your card hasn’t arrived. And if it’s not active yet, we’ll help you with options so your child doesn’t miss care.
Q: We just moved to Huntsville and our child’s Medicaid is from another state. What do we do?
Welcome to town! You will have to terminate your out of state Medicaid and apply for Alabama Medicaid. You can now apply online for Medicaid, see Medicaid website here. For any other questions or if you need any help, stop by any of our clinics. Our staff is happy to help, and we can help guide you to ensure your child is receiving the care they need.
Q: My child has no insurance. How much will I pay?
If you qualify, our Adjustable Payment Plan can lower your visit cost significantly based on your income. You can apply at check-in or learn more here.
Final Thoughts
Back-to-school season can be chaotic—but getting your child’s healthcare in order doesn’t have to be. We’re here as your partner in health. Whether it’s your first kid heading off to school or your fifth, you’ve got support.
Where to Find Us
Huntsville Family Health Center
Location: 751 Pleasant Row NW, Huntsville, AL
Schedule Your Child’s Back-to-School Appointment Today!
Call Huntsville Family Health Center at (256) 533-6311 or stop by our location at 751 Pleasant Row NW, Huntsville, AL—right next to Huntsville Utilities.
We’ll make sure your child is ready for the school year—healthy, protected, and paperwork-ready.
