Programs

Our program was created by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Immunization Unit to increase access to vaccination services in Texas for uninsured adults, thereby raising the immunization coverage levels and improving the health of Texans. 

Like infants and children, adults are also at risk for contracting vaccine-preventable diseases. In addition to becoming severely ill, infected adults risk spreading these diseases to infants who are too young to be vaccinated. The solution is to vaccinate our adult population to prevent infection with potentially devastating diseases. 

Learn more about Adult Safety Net.

Our Requirements 

The Adult Safety Net program helps to vaccinate our adult population to prevent infection with one of these potentially devastating diseases. The following are key requirements to be a part of our program: 

• Anyone 19 years of age or older and does not have health insurance is eligible to receive low-cost vaccines under the Adult Safety Net program. 

• You may be charged an administration fee of up to $25 per vaccine(except for the COVID-19 vaccine). If you cannot pay the fee, notify the provider, and you will not be denied vaccination. 

• Individuals are not eligible to receive ASN vaccines if enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid, have other health insurance, or if their existing healthcare insurance does not cover vaccinations. 

Finding a Provider Near You

To locate an Adult Safety Net provider, please contact DSHS Immunizations Section at 800-252-9152 and refer to the spreadsheet of Adult Safety Net providers below. Enrolled providers may be subject to change.  

Find a Provider 

Learn more about Adult Safety Net.

The Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) program provides low-cost vaccines to eligible children from birth through 18 years of age who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Eligible for participation in the Medicaid program
• Enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)¹
• American Indian or Alaska Native (As defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603)
• Uninsured Children: Children who do not have health insurance
• Underinsured: Children who have commercial (private) health insurance, but
  • Coverage does not include vaccines; or
  • Covers only selected vaccines (TVFC-eligible for non-covered vaccines only); or
  • Health insurance covers all vaccines, but the plan has a fixed dollar limit or cap on the amount that it will cover for vaccines (TVFC-eligible once fixed dollar amount or cap is reached). 

^1. Though children whose insurance pays for vaccines do not qualify for TVFC vaccine, CHIP children do qualify by special arrangement.

^2. Underinsured children must be seen by a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Rural Health Clinic (RHC), or deputized clinic.

• TVFC Providers

For additional information, please contact your local health department, Health Department Region or the TVFC program at 888-777-5320 or vacCallCenter@dshs.texas.gov

These recommendations must be read with the notes that follow. For those who fall behind or start late, provide catch-up vaccination at the earliest opportunity as indicated by the green bars. To determine minimum intervals between doses, see the catch-up schedule on CDC.

Additional information can be found on CDC: Vaccines by Age.

Updated: September 26, 2024

These recommendations must be read with the notes that follow. For those who fall behind or start late, provide catch-up vaccination at the earliest opportunity as indicated by the green bars. To determine minimum intervals between doses, see the catch-up schedule on CDC.

Additional information can be found on CDC: Vaccines by Age.

Updated: September 26, 2024

2003–2005

The 78th Legislature in 2003, passed House Bill 1921. The bill strived to clarify immunization registry components to:

• Reduce confusion about parental consent.
• Increase provider and client participation.
• Protect the privacy and confidentiality of registry data.
• Increase the utility of the registry and registry data. 
• Transition from requiring a written signature on the provider registration and renewal form to allowing the use of an online form.

DSHS implemented House Bill 1921 in 2005. The bill’s key requirements:

• All healthcare providers and payors must report to ImmTrac all vaccines given to children under 18 years old.
• While registering for a birth certificate, parents can grant consent to participate in the registry or can request exclusion from the registry.
• A parent may submit a child's immunization history to ImmTrac for inclusion in the registry.

2007

The 80th Legislature passed Senate Bill 11 in 2007, changed the process for receiving parental consent, and added first responders and adverse vaccine reactions.

• Authorized ImmTracusers were now able to affirm to DSHS that they received written parental consent without actually submitting the paper form.
• ImmTraccould include immunization information on first responders (peace officers, fire protection personnel, emergency medical services personnel) and their immediate family members 18 years of age and older. The registry now captured information about people who get an immunization, antiviral, or other medication given in preparation for a potential declared disaster, public health emergency, or in response to such an event.
• ImmTrac began tracking adverse reactions to an immunization, antiviral, or other medication given in preparation for a potential declared disaster, public health emergency, or in response to such an event.

2009–2011

During the 81st Legislature, Senate Bill 346 passed and changed the registry from a children's-only registry to a lifetime registry (enrollment from birth to death), allowing Texans aged 18 years or older to store their immunization records in the registry. In 2011, ImmTrac implemented the new legislation and began promoting the registry and adult consent requirements. Adults may grant consent at any time to participate in ImmTrac, and consent is valid for a lifetime.

2015–2017

During the 84th Legislature, in 2015, House Bill 2171 passed. It extended the time for maintaining information in the immunization registry after an individual becomes an adult, from 18 to 26 years of age. 

On April 3, 2017, DSHS Immunization Unit replaced ImmTrac with the Texas Immunization Registry, the enhanced ImmTrac2. The new system includes upgrades for immunization users, including enhanced immunization history and forecasting capabilities, client and immunization de-duplication, and report-generating capabilities.  

Currently, the registry is one of three programs at the DSHS participating in the stages of Meaningful Use (MU) as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. Meaningful Use is in its second of three stages.

The Texas Immunization Registry makes it easy to keep up with your and your family’s immunization records. 

	All doctors have access. No matter how many times you move or change health care providers, your and your family’s immunization records are at any Texas doctor’s fingertips.
	Schools can verify vaccine records. You’ll never have to round up immunization records yourself. Your child’s school can access them for you and let you know what vaccines your child needs to meet school requirements.
	Free and secure. There’s no charge for enrolling, and there’s no monthly fee. The registry meets the highest security standards, and only authorized providers can access your family’s records. Information is available only to doctors, schools, child-care centers, public health care providers, and other authorized organizations.

Vaccine Records for a Lifetime

You can request a copy of your immunization history whenever you need it for:

• Child-care
• School
• College entrance
• Military enlistment
• Travel
• Employment in health and safety fields
• Other instances

To register children 17 years and younger, parents must consent. Consent is required one time and is valid until your child turns 18. People 18 years and older must complete an adult consent form.

1. Download the correct form.  Each person needs their own form. All forms are online in the forms page.
   Parental Consent Form (PDF)
   Adult Consent Form (PDF)
2. Complete the form.
3. Submit with a complete record of immunizations to:
   • Any local healthcare provider registered with ImmTrac2
   • A local health department or
   • The DSHS Immunization Section

Mail:
Texas Department of State Health Services
Immunization Section – ImmTrac2
MC 1947, PO Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347

Fax:
512-776-7790  

Adults 18+

A child registered in ImmTrac2 must sign an adult consent form when they turn 18 years old. The registry holds childhood immunization records until the participant turns 26 years old. If a person does not submit an ImmTrac2 Adult Consent Form (EF11-13366) by their 26th birthday, their immunization records are deleted.

To request an immunization record for yourself or your child, fill out the Authorization to Release ImmTrac2 History form. Those who are 18 years old or older must sign an ImmTrac2 Adult Consent Form (EF11-13366). To maintain immunization records in the registry, they must submit the form by their 26th birthday.

1. To request a copy of a vaccine record, download the Authorization to Release ImmTrac2 History form.
2. Complete the form.
3. Send the completed form to the DSHS Immunization Section:

Mail:
Texas Department of State Health Services
Immunization Section – ImmTrac2
MC 1946, PO Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347

Fax:
512-776-7790  

1. Download an ImmTrac2 withdrawal form or call the Immunization Branch at 800-348-9158 for the form.
2. Complete the form.
3. Send the form to the DSHS Immunization Section: 

Mail:
Texas Department of State Health Services
Immunization Section – ImmTrac Group
MC 1946, PO Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347

Fax:
512-776-7790