Time Now For School Vaccinations
With school just around the corner, now is the time to ask your pediatrician whether your children are up-to-date on their vaccinations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more children in this country are getting their shots than ever before. But there are variations from state to state, so it's important to check with a pediatrician to make sure your youngsters are current.
State regulations vary, but many states require proof of vaccination for a lot of diseases before they allow children into school, points out The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay.
Most parents are diligent about getting their infants vaccinated, but, says Senay, some may not realize they need to protect their older kids with follow-up shots. The older students need some shots, too.
Infants or toddlers have usually all had the measles, mumps and rubella shot, commonly known as the "MMR." But you need two doses of this vaccination, so if your child hasn't had it, around the age of eleven or twelve is a good time to consider getting the second dose, or getting your child immunized if they haven't had it at all, Senay suggests.The vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis is also given in one shot, multiple times, as an infant or toddler. But you need a booster for tetanus and diphtheria around the age of eleven or twelve and every ten years after that. Ask your doctor about the new booster shot for pertussis, or whooping cough, approved this year that's available in one shot with the diphtheria and tetanus booster.
Other shots to check on are the h flu type b, polio, hepatitis-B, pneumococcal and varicella, which is the chickenpox vaccine.
And, urges Senay, don't forget to ask your doctor or pediatrician about a flu shot. Ideally, everyone should get one every year. Kids under nine years old need two doses the first year they receive a flu shot and one dose every year thereafter. Depending where in the country you live, a hepatitis a shot may also be recommended.
In addition, Senay advises that you talk to your doctor about a meningitis shot, which is recommended for teens. College freshmen living in dorms are at the highest risk for meningitis, a very serious and potentially life-threatening infection. Fortunately, it's also very rare. But if a child is going off to college, you might want to talk to his or her doctor about getting the meningitis vaccination. Many college health facilities will provide it.
The risks of vaccinations are thought to be relatively minor compared to the benefits in preventing these dangerous diseases, Senay observes. Although there are side effects associated with vaccinations, people need to remember these vaccinations can help avoid or eliminate the potentially disastrous effects of the diseases they protect against.