“There are only two things a child will share willingly,” renowned pediatrician Benjamin Spock once wrote, “communicable diseases and his mother’s age.”
While you can’t control what your little darling will say, you do have a little more control when it comes to his or her health. Whether your child is learning the alphabet or learning to drive, back to school check- ups are a great way for parents to make sure their kids are protected against disease and illness. Vaccination is one of the many important procedures performed during such check-ups. Not only does it protect your child from acquiring potential serious diseases but also it can protect your community.
With that in mind, and the back-to-school season upon us, SRxA’s Word on Health is pleased to bring you the following information:
Vaccination requirements vary by state and school district. You can contact your local school board to find out exact requirements.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following immunizations for children 0-6 years:
- Hepatits B Vaccine (HepB)
- Rotavirus Vaccine (RV)
- Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTap)
- Haemophilus influenzae tybe b conjugate vaccine (Hib)
- Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV and/or PPSV)
- Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)
- Influenza vaccine (seasonal)
- Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR)
- Hepatitis A vaccine (HepA)
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine, quadrivalent (MCV4)
For children aged 7-18 years, the CDC recommends the following immunizations:
- Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap)
- Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV)
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine, quadrivalent (MCV4)
- Influenza vaccine (seasonal)
- Pneumococal vaccines
- Hepatitis A vaccine (HepA)
- Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB)
- Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)
- Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR)
- Varicella vaccine
Maybe the thought of all those needles will keep your little one from revealing your age!
SRxA's Word on Health 