Outer Cape Health Services Encourages Back-to-School Wellness Visits

Vaccinations Key Component of Annual Physician Visits

Harwich Port, Mass., September 9, 2026 – Outer Cape Health Services (OCHS), a federally qualified community health center serving the outermost towns of Cape Cod, reminds families to proactively protect their children’s health by scheduling an annual wellness visit to coincide with the start of the school year.

This includes ensuring children are up to date on required vaccinations, per American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines.

According to the AAP, children and teenagers should receive these immunizations unless medically exempt:

• Ages 2 and under: Rotavirus, Pneumococcal, Hep A, Hep B, Hib.
• Ages 4 to 6: DTaP (whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus), polio, MMR (measles/mumps/rubella), and chickenpox (varicella).
• Ages 11 to 12: Booster for whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus (Tdap), start HPV vaccine series, and first meningococcal vaccine.
• Age 16: Meningococcal booster.
• College-Age: Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine which protects against serious and life-threatening bacterial infections including meningitis and sepsis.
• Annually: Flu vaccine for all children 6 months and older.
• COVID-19: Updated 2026-2027 vaccine recommended for all children 6 months and older – to be available in the fall.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the vaccination rates among children remain on a downward trajectory, coinciding with the highest number of confirmed measles cases in the United States since 1991. Given the recent trends, health officials urge parents to remain vigilant on having their children up to date on all vaccinations, which is just one component of an annual wellness visit.

“There are many diseases, including measles cases which are on a sharp rise, that can potentially affect children and adhering to the vaccination schedule per AAP guidelines are one of the most effective ways to protect children from these serious, and preventable diseases,” said Nicola Bordelon, Director of Nursing at OCHS. “Additionally, an annual wellness visit goes beyond physical health. It’s also an opportunity to assess and support emotional and developmental growth to prepare the child for a successful school year.”

OCHS offers pediatric care at health centers in Provincetown, Wellfleet, and Harwich Port, including immunizations, behavioral health screenings, and developmental support.

To learn more about OCHS pediatric services, visit outercape.org/services/pediatrics.

About Outer Cape Health Services:
Outer Cape Health Services is a community health center organization with locations in Harwich Port, Provincetown, and Wellfleet. Our mission is to provide a full range of primary health care and supportive social services that promote the health and well-being of all who live in or visit the ten outermost towns of Cape Cod. OCHS cares for more than 20,000 patients annually, and no one is denied access to services due to an inability to pay. Founded in 1987 through the merger of Health Associates of Provincetown and the AIM Medical Center in Wellfleet, Outer Cape Health has a long history of successful growth and expansion in pursuit of this mission. Outer Cape Health Services, Inc. (OCHS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is governed by a Board of Directors representative of its community. All board members live on Cape Cod, and the majority are OCHS patients.

For additional information about Outer Cape Health Services, click here.