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.”
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.
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.
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.
The California Department of Education requires students have the following immunizations:
Students entering transitional kindergarten or kindergarten:
Students entering 7th grade:
