With just weeks before school starts, this a good time of year to make sure your kids are up-to-date with their vaccinations. Get your children vaccinated—it’s one of the best ways to protect them and their classmates from diseases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that immunizations prevent 2- 3 million deaths every year. An additional 1.5 million deaths could be avoided if global vaccination coverage improves. Vaccination rates among children remain high—more than 90 percent got shots to prevent measles-mumps-rubella (MMR); polio; hepatitis B; and varicella vaccine in in 2017, according to the CDC.
Here are some tips for keeping your children prepared for a healthy school year:
- Recommended back-to-school immunizations differ between states and schools. Check with your State’s Immunization Program and your child’s school to see which shots are required. Not sure if they’re up-to-date? Call your family doctor.
- Document your children’s immunizations in multiple places and keep it up-to-date in case you misplace this information.
- Check with your local health department regarding the possibility of receiving free vaccinations if insurance doesn’t cover them.
- Don’t forget about children’s annual vaccinations against seasonal flu. According to the CDC, flu vaccines are recommended for pre-school and elementary school children.
Review the CDC’s Childhood Immunization Schedule to learn what vaccines children need and when they should receive the doses.
When you’re ready to get your child’s back-to-school vaccines, schedule an appointment or just walk in to a nearby Walgreens.
Sources:
https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/immunization/en/
https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/immunization-coverage
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/vacc-coverage-us.html
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6740a3.htm?s_cid=mm6740a3_w
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6740a4.htm?s_cid=mm6740a4_w
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/awardee-imz-websites.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/child/0-18yrs-child-combined-schedule.pdf
