Is Your Child Vaccinated?

School is just around the corner for many around the area, and with that comes the usual back to school to-do list. Along with getting that new backpack and pens, you might consider taking a trip to your family doctors office. Many schools and daycares around the area have specific requirements on the types of vaccinations that new and returning students need.

If you are just starting out in the whole school thing and have a child that will be entering a child care facility, pre-school, or pre-kindergarten program, there are many vaccinations for you to address. Often, this is a child’s first encounter with a large group of their peers, and this can result in being exposed to new germs in the process. To help keep everyone safe, the State of Tennessee recommends the following vaccination precautions be taken.

Parents should know that these vaccinations are due when the child is no later than 18 months of age: IPV or OPV, Haemophilus Influenza Type B, PCV; Measles, Mumps and Rubella (1 dose of each given together); Varicella (one dose), HBV, T-Dap, and Hepatitis A. All of these are required before the child can enter into any of these types of facilities. Most vaccinations on this list are required before the age of 5.

When your child is old enough to begin entering Kindergarten there is another list of vaccinations needed, which are further precautions and follow ups from the previous risks. Again, most health care providers and school systems recommend and require these vaccinations for the safety of their students and staff.

Before entering Kindergarten a child must have the following vaccinations on their record. HBV, T-Dap, IPV or OPV (with the final dose ideally given on or around the child’s 4th birthday); Measles, Mumps, and Rubella; along with Varicella and Hepatitis A. Some of these may look like repeats from the previous list, but it all depends on how early the student begins school.

Once these vaccinations have been given, students are pretty good for awhile – until they reach about 7th grade. If you have a child that is about the enter the 7th grade, you may want to look into getting them a TD booster vaccination and a Varicella vaccination. This gives their bodies a refresher course on the vaccination and, again, allows for the safety and peace of mind of students, staff, and parents.

If you are new to the area and have a child that is about to enter into a local school system, you need to make sure that their shot record is up to date. New kids in grades other than Kindergarten should have T-Dap; Measles, Mumps, and Rubella; as well as Varicella and Hepatitis B vaccinations.

New College students entering anywhere in the state of Tennessee might want to adhere to this rule, as well. Experts recommend that college students also take care to get another round of vaccinations. Specifically, many institutions are looking for students to have Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccinations, along with Varicella, Hepatitis B, and Meningococcal vaccinations. Keep these in mind to make sure that your family and community have a safe and healthy return to the new school year.

Source: Elizabeth Lane, Jefferson County Post Staff Writer