Remember Vaccinations Before School Starts
Stay up to date on immunizations, flu shots and checkups
Stay up to date on immunizations, flu shots and checkups
August means back to school for many kids. Before they walk through the school doors, make sure they’re up to date on their immunizations and have had a checkup.
Vaccines help keep children healthy and safe, protecting them from serious diseases such as measles, mumps and chickenpox. In most states, specific vaccines are required before a child can start school. In California, immunization records are checked when starting preschool, kindergarten, seventh grade or changing schools.
Not only does vaccinating children boost their immune system, it also helps make schools safer and prevents the spread of contagious illnesses in local communities.
“No vaccine is 100 percent effective, but by having a high percentage of the population up to date on immunizations, the risk is kept down for everyone,” says Michelle Dern, MD, a pediatrician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Encinitas. “Vaccines are safe and effective when given according to the recommended schedule.”
Can vaccines make you sick?
Vaccines may cause minor side effects like redness and swelling at the injection site that usually go away in a few days. Severe allergic reactions are rare, but health care providers know how to handle them if one should occur.
Make sure to tell your child’s doctor about any allergies or bad reactions to vaccines they have had before. This will help the doctor give you the best advice on what to do next.
What is an immunization schedule?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises parents to follow the recommended vaccination schedule for children for the best protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. There is a calendar for young children (birth to 6 years of age) and one for older children (7 to 18 years). Vaccines work best when given according to the schedule.
You can check your child’s vaccination status by reviewing their immunization record provided by their doctor. This record will show which vaccines your child has received. Remember to keep this record current and bring it to all your doctor's appointments.
Are vaccines required for school?
Elementary and secondary schools have vaccine requirements set by states and local governments. All states allow medical exemptions and some also allow exemptions for religious and philosophical reasons.
California has strict vaccination laws that apply to both public and private schools. You can no longer use personal beliefs to exempt your child from vaccinations. Only licensed doctors can provide medical exemptions for valid reasons.
Studies show nationwide vaccination coverage among kindergarten students has fallen below pre-pandemic levels and exemptions have increased. This is due to various factors, such as missed vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic and misinformation about vaccines. For instance, there is no proof that vaccines cause autism.
California vaccination requirements
The California Department of Education requires students have the following immunizations:
Students entering transitional kindergarten or kindergarten:
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP, DTP, Tdap or Td) — five doses
- Polio — four doses
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) — two doses
- Hepatitis B — three doses
- Varicella (chickenpox) — two doses
Students entering 7th grade:
- Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) — one dose
- Varicella — two doses
Other important vaccines
In addition to routine vaccines, ask your doctor about other recommended vaccines to keep your child healthy.
The CDC recommends:
- The updated COVID vaccine to everyone 6 months and older, when it is available.
- The flu vaccine to everyone 6 months and older, when it is available, with rare exceptions.
- HPV vaccine at ages 11-12 to prevent certain cancers.
- The meningococcal vaccine for all preteens and teens.
Well-child visits at Scripps
Your child can get their vaccinations during their well-child visit. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual well-child visits from infancy through adolescence. In San Diego County, Scripps has pediatricians who provide comprehensive care at more than 20 Scripps Clinic and Scripps Coastal Medical Center primary care locations.
Flu vaccines are available at annual flu clinics and at Scripps HealthExpress, same-day, walk-in clinics across San Diego County. No appointment is needed at Scripps HealthExpress.
If your child plays school sports, sports physicals are also available at Scripps HealthExpress locations.