Back to School Means It’s Time to Update Your Vaccinations
With the new school year in full swing and winter approaching, it is important for parents to make sure that their children are up-to-date on their vaccinations. This is true not only for children who are inschool, but for younger children who may be exposed to preventable diseases during drop-offs, pick-ups and other school-related events as well.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends several vaccinations for children of all ages, and it encourages all parents to ensure that their children are fully immunized:
School-age children – from preschoolers to college students – need vaccines. Getting your child all their vaccinations on time is one of the most important things you can do as a parent to ensure your children’s long-term health—as well as the health of friends, classmates, and others in your community.
Staying on the CDC’s Recommended Vaccination Schedule
The CDC is the primary resource for information on vaccinations from the federal government. It provides recommended vaccination schedules for children and adults, and it is also involved in making decisions such as which strains of the flu virus should be targeted in each year’s flu shot. If you take your children to see a pediatrician on a regular basis, your children’s doctor should be helping to make sure that they stay on schedule; but, if your children are behind on their vaccinations, the CDC recommends a “catch-up” immunization schedule as well.
Parents can download the recommended vaccination schedules from the CDC’s website:
- Vaccination Schedule for Infants and Children (Birth through Six Years Old)
- Vaccination Schedule for Preteens and Teens (7 through 18 Years Old)
- Cath-Up Immunization Schedule
Additional Vaccine Resources for Parents During Back-to-School Season
In addition to staying on track with the CDC’s recommended vaccinations, parents should be aware of a couple of other issues pertaining to vaccines during back-to-school season as well.
First, not only is it recommended to get your children vaccinated (unless a doctor says otherwise due to a countervailing medical consideration), it may also be required. State laws across the country mandate vaccinations for school-age children, with specific requirements and exemptions varying from one state to the next. You can find out about the laws in your state using these resources from the CDC:
- State School and Childcare Vaccination Laws
- State Vaccination Requirements (provides additional information on vaccine mandates across the country)
Second, while all of the CDC-recommended vaccines are generally considered safe, getting vaccinated carries the risk of suffering certain vaccine-related illnesses and injuries. This includes both: (i) medical conditions resulting from negative vaccine interactions, and (ii) injures related to vaccine administration. For more information, we encourage you to read:
- Signs That a Loved One May Have a Vaccine Injury
- 5 Things to Know if You (or Your Child) has Suffered a Vaccine Injury
- What are My Rights After a Vaccine Injury?
Speak with a Vaccine Attorney for Free
If your child has been diagnosed with a vaccine-related illness or injury, you can contact Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & Associates for a free, no-obligation consultation. Find out how we can help you recover financial compensation at little or no out-of-pocket cost to you. To schedule an appointment, please contact us online or call (202) 775-9200 now.