Focus Group Sign Up

 Parents and Teens – We want to hear from YOU!

Call 713-500-ALL5 (2555) or email HPVinitiative@uth.tmc.edu to sign up.

 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health invites parents and their children who attend select HISD middle schools to participate in focus group discussions about adolescent vaccinations.  

 WHAT: We are recruiting volunteers to take part in a research study. The purpose of the study is to learn about what parents and adolescents think and feel about adolescent vaccinations and the vaccine clinics that are being offered in their schools. We will have separate focus groups for the parents and adolescents.

 WHO: If you have a child who is 10-15 years old and attended one of the HISD middle schools below in the last academic year (2017-2018), and if you can read and speak English or Spanish, you and your child are invited to participate. We would like for both parents and their child(ren) to participate, but parents can still participate if their child does not agree to participate.        

Eligible middle schools

 WHEN/WHERE: You will participate in a focus group with other parents. Your child will participate in a focus group with other students. The focus groups will take about 1½ hours. We will schedule the focus groups at a time and location that is convenient to most participants.

 OTHER INFO: You and your child will each be paid for the time that you take part in the study.

 PLEASE CALL US AT 713-500-ALL5 (2555) OR EMAIL HPVINITIATIVE@UTH.TMC.EDU FOR QUESTIONS AND TO SIGN UP.

Tell Me About the Clinics

To help you protect your child’s health, certain HISD middle schools will be hosting free adolescent vaccination clinics, where your child can receive all of the recommended shots for their age group on campus during school hours. Most clinics are sponsored and staffed by Texas Children’s Hospital®, with some hosted and run by Memorial Hermann Health Centers for Schools. 

Vaccines provided will include: 

• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Meningococcal (MCV4)
• Hepatitis A
• Influenza (Flu)

Remember: All is better than some.

These recommended vaccines are a very important part of keeping your child healthy. Make sure you get your child all of the recommended vaccines.

Questions? You can call 713-500-ALL5 (2555) to speak with a program staff member.

Is my child's school participating?

Check the schedule below. 

Please note: All clinics will be provided by the Texas Children's Hospital® Mobile Clinic program, unless otherwise specified.

*The schedule will continue to be updated as more schools confirm their clinic dates. 

What do I need for the clinics?

Here are the forms you should print, sign, and return to school for your child to receive their shots.

These forms ask for important information. Please answer the questions carefully, and put your initials by each vaccine that you want your child to receive. Please return forms to school one week before your child’s vaccination clinic date. 

FORM A: Consent Form (Texas Children’s Hospital Mobile Clinic)

FORM B: Immunization Registry Minor Consent Form (ImmTrac2)

FORM C: Patient Eligibility Screening Record (Texas Vaccines for Children)

Please send your child’s most recent immunization record to school on the day of the clinic. It will be stamped and returned home with your child.

You should also read the Texas Children’s Hospital: Notice of Privacy Practices (for clinics run by Texas Children’s Mobile Clinics – see Clinic Schedules)

Vaccine Information Statements

Please read the Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for each vaccine that you would like your child to receive (before the clinic).  

• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Meningococcal (MCV4)
• Hepatitis A
• Influenza (Flu)

Tell Me About HPV Vaccination

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is extremely common. The virus has many types, some of which are frequently responsible for causing six different kinds of cancer, which affect both men and women. More than 31,000 people get HPV-related cancers every year. Since most adults will contract some strain of HPV during their lifetime, it’s important for all children (both boys and girls) to be vaccinated against HPV to prevent the related cancers and other illnesses.

The vaccine prevents certain types of HPV. It is proven safe, effective, and protects your child throughout their life from HPV-related cancers and other illnesses. 

Much like when you vaccinate your children as infants against other illnesses, it is best to give your child the vaccine long before they’re ever exposed to HPV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends starting the HPV vaccine series when children are 11-12 years old. 

Want more information? Here’s a fact sheet on the HPV vaccine. 

The HPV vaccine will be offered at some HISD middle schools’ adolescent vaccination clinics this school year, along with other recommended vaccines for your child’s age group. The HPV vaccine is also available at your local clinic, and should be covered free of charge through most health insurance plans, including CHIP and Medicaid. Some clinics may charge an administrative fee, depending on your plan.

HISD Teacher Instructional Video

Questions?

UTHealth Project Team

Phone: (713) 500-ALL5 (2555) or Email: HPVinitiative@uth.tmc.edu 

Texas Children's Mobile Clinic Program

Phone: (832) 372-9871

Memorial Hermann Health Centers for Schools

Hogg Clinic: (713) 864-7614          Burbank Clinic: (713) 742-8151          Sharpstown Clinic: (832) 658-5260

Thank you to our partnering organizations!

This project is funded by: