Your Guide to Back-to-School Vaccinations

Your Guide to Back-to-School Vaccinations

The first day of school is upon us and this is the perfect time to make sure your children are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect your family from disease and ensure that your children have a happy school year.

Three things to remember when it comes to back-to-school vaccinations:

1. Keep up-to-date on any vaccine requirement changes. If you are unsure of your school’s requirements, check with your family care provider. The CDC also provides an opens in a new windowInstant Childhood Immunization Scheduler with a full list of recommended immunizations.
2. Keep good immunization records. Accurate personal records will make providing official immunization records easier. You can request an immunization tracking card from your family care provider or use the opens in a new windowCDC’s Immunization Trackeropens PDF file .
3. Do your homework. Disease outbreaks still happen and can be dangerous, or in some cases even deadly. As a parent it is your responsibility to make educated decisions regarding vaccinations. Talk with your family care provider and develop an understanding of how vaccines prevent diseases.

For over twenty-six years the CDC has been monitoring any adverse effects of vaccines with the opens in a new windowVaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). This early warning system reports that about 85-95 percent of side effects are mild such as fever, arm soreness and mild irritability.