Immunizations

The federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program offers vaccines at no cost for children under the age of 19 who meet at least one of the following criteria:

• The child is eligible for Medicaid;
• The child has no health insurance coverage;
• The child is American Indian (as defined by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act); or
• The child has insurance, but it doesn't cover vaccinations.

Children whose health insurance covers the cost of immunizations aren’t eligible for VFC vaccine, even if coverage isn’t available because a deductible hasn’t been met.

VFC vaccines can be administered by any enrolled program provider. There is usually a fee for the administration of each dose. Ask your child’s health-care provider for more information or contact an immunization nurse at the public health department, 457-8900.

Children under 19 who have no insurance may also be eligible for low- or no-cost insurance through the Healthy Montana Kids Program. For more information, call toll-free 1-877-543-7669 or visit www.hmk.mt.gov.

Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive any vaccination.

All Health Insurance Marketplace plans and most other private insurance plans must cover common vaccines without charging a copayment or coinsurance when vaccinations are given by an in-network provider. This is true even for patients who have not met a yearly deductible. Doses, recommended ages, and recommended populations for these vaccines vary. Learn more about paying for immunizations on the CDC website or call the Immunization Program at 406-457-8900.

Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive any vaccination. Please bring your children's vaccination records with you to the public health department when you come in for back-to-school shots. Your health-care provider can fax a copy to our Immunization Program at 406-457-8997.

• All grades (K-12): Two doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine after age 1 year (or a form from your medical provider(PDF, 92KB) confirming immunity)
• Grades 7-12: Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) booster. The Td vaccine, which lacks the pertussis (or whooping cough) component will no longer be adequate.

Kindergarten

• Required: booster doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), varicella (chickenpox)
• Recommended: “catch-up” vaccinations: hepatitis A if not already given at age 1 year.

Seventh Grade

• Required: Tdap, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, and second varicella (chickenpox) vaccination
• Recommended: "catch-up" and adolescent vaccines, including hepatitis A, meningococcal, and HPV (human papillomavirus).

Recommended Vaccinations for Infants and Children, Parent-Friendly Version. Birth through 6 Years, United States

Vaccine Schedule for Children 6 Years or Younger | CDC

Recommended Vaccinations for Children 7 to 18 Years Old, Parent-Friendly Version.

Vaccine Schedule for Children, 7 to 18 Years Old | CDC

Travel Immunizations