HAYS COUNTY, Texas -- The Hays County health department is giving free back-to-school shots this week at the Live Oak Community Clinic.

The clinic is located on Broadway Street in San Marcos. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

"People who are going to maybe be financially burdened with buying school supplies and clothes and all that stuff, this is just one thing that we can help them out with by giving them free information,” said Eric Schneider, epidemiologist.

Unless you file an exemption through the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, Texas law requires children to be current on vaccines before going to school.

"Because they're going to be around other children, they're going to be around other sick kids. It's just better to protect yourself,” said Schneider.

Texas is one of 18 states that allows families to apply for exemptions for personal reasons. The HHS reports an increase of nearly 4,000 Kindergarten through 12 students opting out last year from the year before.

Children need to be uninsured, underinsured or on Medicaid. For more information, or to see if your child is eligible, call 512-393-5520.