Which Vaccines Do Your Children Need Before School Starts?
8/22/2024
Dr. Natalie Weeks, Aspirus Family Medicine Physician
As families prepare
for the new school year, ensuring that children are up to date on their
vaccinations is vital. While specific requirements may vary by state, several
core vaccines are universally recommended.
“State law requires
children be immunized for a host of childhood diseases prior to going back to
school, including measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis
(whooping cough), varicella (chickenpox), hepatitis B, and polio,” says Natalie
Weeks, MD, a Family Medicine Physician with Aspirus Health. For residents
in Minnesota,
Michigan
and Wisconsin,
local vaccination requirements can be found through their state health
department.
The impact of these
vaccines extends beyond individual protection.
“Vaccines not only
protect your child, but they also protect the community at large, especially
those who may be immunocompromised or have a harder time fighting off
infections,” Dr. Weeks explains. “We are very lucky to have these vaccines to
prevent potentially deadly diseases.”
She further
emphasizes their preventive value: “It’s the number one thing you can do to
protect your child and the community and prevent these diseases from
recurring.”
For additional
support, parents can check their child’s vaccination status through their state
immunization registry, consult their child’s primary care provider, or review
vaccine records maintained by schools.
“If parents are
concerned or have any questions at all about vaccinating their children, I
encourage them to talk to their child’s primary care provider,” advises Dr.
Weeks.
For more information
and resources on vaccinations, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines
or your state’s health department website. Staying informed and proactive about
vaccinations is essential for protecting your child’s health and contributing
to community well-being.
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