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Editorial
Time to get kids' immune systems ready for school
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Summer was fun while it lasted, but you can now count on one hand the number of weeks until school starts again.
With school opening comes the chance to meet new friends and become reacquainted with old ones. But while kids' minds are adjusting to the new social situation, their bodies are reacting to new microbes those interactions bring along.
That's why August is National Immunization Awareness Month.
"Getting children all of the shots recommended by CDC's immunization schedule is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their children's health," said Melissa Propp, RN, Public Health Nurse for the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department. "If you haven't done so already, now is the time to find out what shots your child needs. This is critical in protecting classmates, their younger siblings and the community."
Most schools require kids to be current on vaccinations before enrolling to protect the health of all students. Today's childhood vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including polio, measles and whooping cough.
When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased chance of getting diseases and can spread diseases to others in their classrooms and community. Babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems, due to cancer or other health conditions, are at the greatest risk.
Children who are 4 to 6 years old are due for boosters of: DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and polio.
Older children, like preteens and teens, need Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), Meningo (meningococcal conjugate vaccine) and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines when they are 11 to 12. The new MenB shots are for those ages 16-23 .
Every year, early flu vaccines are recommended for all children 6 months and older.
Parents can find out more about the recommended immunization schedule at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/index.html or contact SWNPHD at 308-345-4223 or email: nurse@swhealth.ne.gov.