The use of vaccine has led to  great improvement in  the health of children  over a long period of time. Many infectious diseases such as chicken pox that use to be common years back no longer affect many  children.

Back to school is a great way to protect your child from infectious diseases . All schools  in the Unites States require some immunization to start school. The kindergarten visit  is the time that parents go in to make sure that their children have all the needed immunization. The visit usually takes place around 4 to 5 years old and the kids  can get caught up and ready for school.

You also have to know that children around the ages of 13 and 14 going into junior high also need to be caught up in vaccines as well.

What are some of the newest vaccination requirement.

The newest  recommendations  that are  been talked about  are making sure that children are  caught up in the whooping cough vaccine through the Tdap vaccine. Its also a good time to get the recommended booster for the diphtheria boosterand tetanus booster. This is a 3 in 1 vaccine.

It is also important to start thinking about updating the vaccine for older kids that is those entering junior high. You have to think about the meningitis vaccine , the vaccine that prevents meningitis , a booster for the pertussis vaccine and  also start thinking  about the HPV ( Human Papilloma Vaccine) vaccine. The HPV vaccine can be given to children to prevent cancer. It is important that the HPV vaccine is given before the age of 15 because after this age the vaccine is less effective.  The ideal time for the vaccine is 11  to 13 years.

Vaccines are very important. They have resulted in  much healthier children and  adults. Vaccines are life savers. Its a tragedy for children to die from diseases because they weren’t  vaccinated. It is important  for parents to make sure their children are caught up.

NOTE

It is never late to get caught up with vaccine. . Your pediatrician have the ” catch up schedule “. Talk to your pediatrician  if your child needs to catch up on some vaccines.