A Healthy Texas Starts with Prevention

Back-to-school season brings a flood of to-dos for parents and students. Beyond school supplies and bus routes, a layer of new confusion has been added to the list. A new executive order from the Trump administration established a “gold standard” for childhood vaccine recommendations, changing what vaccinations are universally recommended and directed Health and Human Services to reassess the federal childhood vaccine schedule. For patients and families trying to make informed decisions about their health, this shifting guidance has only added to the uncertainty.

John Hawkins, President/CEO, Texas Hospital Association — Hawkins

Regardless, this time of year is a good reminder for people of all ages to review their vaccination records and ensure they are up to date. Texas has experienced a recent uptick in infectious diseases, including a continued measles outbreak, making it more important than ever to take the necessary precautions.

Growing vaccine hesitancy threatens to reverse decades of public health progress that has nearly eliminated several infectious diseases in the United States. In 2025, the nation experienced its largest measles resurgence in 30 years, with more than 800 cases reported in Texas alone. So far this year, the United States has already surpassed its 2025 total, recording more measles cases nationwide than the country saw during the entire period from 2000 through 2024 combined. As vaccination rates decline, the risk extends beyond the individual, putting entire communities at greater risk of preventable disease outbreaks. Nobody can predict which children will get seriously ill from these diseases, so choosing to skip or delay these vaccines is risky. If you have questions, you can always ask your family doctor or pediatrician and they can explain the way vaccines work and help you decide what’s best for your child.

Banner for the 39th Annual Texas Health Law Conference: October 4–6, 2026, AT&T Hotel and Conference Center, Austin, TX.

Vaccinations do more than protect the person receiving them. They also help protect infants, people with certain medical conditions, transplant recipients and others who cannot be vaccinated, strengthening community immunity and helping keep everyone healthier. This protection is especially important for first responders, healthcare workers and others on the front lines, who are more likely to be exposed to infectious diseases and can unknowingly spread illness to vulnerable patients and community members.

This concept, known as community immunity – or herd immunity – occurs when enough people are vaccinated to limit the spread of disease, helping protect those who cannot be vaccinated or who may not develop full immunity. Community immunity is a cornerstone of public health and plays a critical role in preventing outbreaks.

While flu season doesn’t officially begin until October, now is the time to prepare. The Texas Hospital Association encourages Texans to use one of the best tools available to protect themselves and those around them: the annual flu vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of getting sick by up to 60%, making it an important step in staying healthy throughout the fall and winter.

Row of blue school lockers with open compartments, backpack on the floor, and a'Welcome Back to School' poster in the center locker area.

10 Tips for Going Back to School Safely

As kids head back to the classroom, here are 10 key reminders to help parents set their children up for a safe and healthy school year.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a time to recognize the lifesaving impact of vaccines and the importance of staying up to date on recommended immunizations. Childhood vaccinations prevent an estimated four million deaths worldwide each year, making them one of the most effective public health interventions ever developed. Additionally, prevention is often the least expensive point in the healthcare continuum. Once preventable illness becomes serious enough to require hospital care, the price – for everyone – can be much higher.

Cost should not be a barrier to staying protected. Many organizations offer vaccines at no cost or at reduced cost, and immunizations are widely available through physicians’ offices, pharmacies, workplaces, community health clinics and local health departments. As you prepare for the school year and the months ahead, talk with your healthcare provider about which vaccines are recommended for you and your family, and take advantage of the resources available in your community. You can also find a vaccination location near you by visiting vaccinefinder.org.

Staying up to date on vaccinations is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community.

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