Back to school prep starts with protecting your child from disease
Make sure their immunizations are current
OLYMPIA - As summer winds down, back to school time is just around the corner for Washington children. One of the best ways to prepare them for the coming year is to make sure their immunizations are up-to-date.
Childhood vaccinations are among the most effective ways to protect children against serious and preventable illnesses, some of which have no cure or treatment. Parents should use the next several weeks to ensure their kids have all the immunizations they need to begin school, schedule a yearly health checkup for children, and have them get any immunizations that are due.
“Parents want their children to be safe when they send them off to school, and fully immunizing them is a good start,” said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes, a pediatrician. “Immunization protects children and the people around them, including their classmates.”
There have been outbreaks of measles, chickenpox, and whooping cough in our state this year.
“Recent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in Washington means it’s more important than ever for kids to be fully immunized before they head back to school,” said Dr. Hayes. “The best way to protect them is to immunize them against these diseases.”
Several immunizations are required before children can attend school and child care. This year, students entering sixth and seventh grade must get the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine. This booster shot protects older kids against whooping cough (pertussis). Young children receive a vaccine that prevents the same diseases, but protection starts to wear-off in the early teen years, so Tdap is important for preteens.
Kids starting first, second, and sixth grades must get the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine or document that they’ve had the disease. Kindergarteners need two doses of the vaccine. Parent-reported history of chickenpox is not an acceptable alternative for kids entering kindergarten.
Although exemptions are allowed for medical, religious, or personal reasons, the best disease protection is to make sure children have all recommended immunizations. Children who are not fully immunized may be excluded from attending school, preschool, or child care if a disease outbreak occurs.
Health care providers can use the CHILD Profile Immunization Registry to help parents complete the necessary school entry paperwork by printing it directly from the registry. Parents should request their child’s shot records a month before school and use their regular health care providers for all childhood vaccinations when possible.
For help finding a health care provider or an immunization clinic, call your local health agency (www.doh.wa.gov/LHJMap/LHJMap.htm) or the WithinReach (www.withinreachwa.org) Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.
Required vaccine information (http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/schools/vaccine.htm) is available online. The CHILD Profile Immunization Registry (www.childprofile.org) has information on the immunization registry program.
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