Send your kids back-to-school with their vaccines up to date
National Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder that we all need vaccines throughout our lives.
Back-to- school season is here. It’s time for parents to gather supplies and back packs. It’s also the ideal time to make sure your kids are up to date on their vaccines.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the importance of
immunizations throughout life, and to make sure children are protected with all the vaccines they need
before the new school year begins.
Getting vaccinated according to the recommended immunization schedule is one of the most important things a parent can do to protect their child’s health. Diseases can spread quickly among groups of children who aren’t vaccinated. Whether it’s a toddler heading to preschool, a student going back to elementary, middle or high school – or even a college freshman – parents should check their child’s vaccination records.
New York state requires schools to ensure students have the required immunizations to protect the
health of all students. Be sure to your children’s vaccines are up-to- date before school starts to ensure
they do not get sent home for not having the shots they need.
Child care facilities, preschool programs, schools and colleges are prone to outbreaks of infectious
diseases. Children in these settings can easily spread illnesses to one another due to poor hand
washing, not covering their coughs, and other factors such as interacting in crowded environments.
Today’s childhood vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including
polio, measles, and whooping cough. When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk and
can spread diseases to others in their classrooms and community – including babies who are too young
to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health
conditions.
School-age children need vaccines. For example, children who are 4 to 6 years old are due for boosters
of four vaccines: DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps and
rubella) and polio. Older children, like preteens and teens, need Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and
pertussis), MenACWY (meningococcal conjugate vaccine) and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines
when they are 11 to 12. In addition, yearly flu vaccines are recommended for all children 6 months and
older.
Parents can find out more about the recommended immunization schedule at cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/index.html.
Immunization clinics are held each week by appointment at the Madison County Health Department at
138 N. Court St., Building 5 in Wampsville. To schedule an appointment, visit healthymadisoncounty.org or call 315-366-2848.