FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Essential Vaccinations for School-Age Children
As we approach the new school year in August 2024, it’s crucial for parents and guardians to ensure their children have received all necessary vaccinations. Texas law mandates that students attending school must be immunized against certain vaccine-preventable diseases. Without proof of these required immunizations, students will not be given their schedule for the 2024-2025 school year.
Vaccination Requirements by Age Group
Here are the vaccines your children ages 4 to 6 should receive and may need before starting kindergarten:
Flu — needed every year
COVID-19
Measles, mumps and rubella — or MMR, for short
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) — known as DTaP
Varicella (chickenpox)
Polio (IPV)
Additional vaccinations that your elementary school–age children ages 7 to 10 should receive include:
Flu — needed every year
COVID-19
Human papilloma virus (HPV) — recommended starting at age 9
Heading into middle school (ages 11 and 12), your preteen may need the following vaccines:
Flu — needed every year
COVID-19
Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) — known as Tdap (this vaccine is different from DTaP)
Meningitis (Meningococcal conjugate, called MenACWY)
Human papilloma virus (HPV)
In junior high and high school (ages 13 to 18), your children should receive the following immunizations:
Flu — needed every year
COVID-19
Meningitis Meningococcal conjugate, called MenACWY — 2nd dose at age 16
Serogroup B meningococcal, called MenB — preferably between ages 16 and 18
Human papilloma virus (HPV) — if they have not previously received it Vaccines for college-age teenagers
College is an exciting time when your teenagers gain a whole new level of independence. Before their first semester begins, make sure your teenager is up to date on all their vaccinations and that they have the following vaccines:
Flu — needed every year
COVID-19
Serogroup B meningococcal, called MenB — if they have not previously received it
Human papilloma virus (HPV) — if they have not previously received it
In most states, you’ll need immunization records to enroll your child in school. You can get them from your healthcare provider. DeWitt County Health Department can also give you immunization records; however, this will only include vaccines your child has received at the DeWitt County Health Department (If your child also received immunizations at the doctor’s office, make sure to get the verifying documents from your healthcare provider.) For more information about school immunization requirements in your state, reach out to your state’s health department, your child’s school or your child’s healthcare provider.
Importance of Vaccinations
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more children delaying or missing routine immunizations. This puts them at higher risk of catching serious, preventable diseases, such as measles, meningitis, or whooping cough. Vaccines are safe, effective, and our best defense against the spread of these life-threatening, preventable diseases.
Please do your due diligence in verifying requirements with your child’s school.
SOURCES:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/years-4-6.htm
2. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/years-7-10.html
3. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/years-11-12.html
4. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/years-13-18.html
5. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/vac-admin.html
6. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/awardee-imz-websites.html
7. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/visit/less-stressful.html
8. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/visit/vaccination-during-COVID-19.html
9. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/records/find-records.html
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