Preparing Your Child for School with Required Immunizations

There are several new vaccine requirements that have been introduced within the past several years making the goal of keeping your child's immunizations up to date more difficult than ever. However, a child will not be allowed to attend school if they have not received the necessary immunizations mandated by state laws.

Some of the more recently introduced vaccines are the Hepatitis B series and the Chickenpox vaccine. Although most young children are getting these shots as part of their routine immunizations, older children, especially ages 10 to 12 years, may not have received them. In addition, the Hepatitis A shot is now required for older children in some areas of the United States that are considered to be high risk.

Other new vaccine recommendations that could be required by your child's school this year include the chickenpox booster shot and a shot that protects against meningitis known as Menactra.

Most schools require several "standard" immunizations but actual requirements will vary from state to state. The following describes the most commonly required school immunizations.

• DtaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), also known as DPT, vaccine is commonly a series of five dosages completed by the time a child reaches school age. A booster dose called Boostrix is now being given to adolescents between the ages of 10 to 18. In addition, children should have a tetanus booster at about 12 years of age.
• IPV (Polio) vaccine is a series of four to five dosages completed by the time a child starts school.
• The MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine is required in the amount of two doses by most schools before attendance is allowed. The second dose has been given at either 4 to 6 years or at 12 years of age in the past, but it is now given earlier. Because of this, some children may not have yet received their second dose.
• Hib shot is normally given when children are past five years of age meaning that some school-age children may not have yet received the shot.
• Varivax (Varicella, or the Chickenpox vaccine) vaccine is usually given as one dose when children are 12 to 18 months old. An older child will need a vaccine if he or she has not already had chickenpox and has not received the shot. In addition, it is required that children get a chickenpox booster shot at age 4 to 6 years. Older children should who have not received their booster should have is as soon as possible to prevent contracting chickenpox.
• Hepatitis B series is three shots that now begin in infancy. Older children are usually caught up by 12 years of age if they haven't received the vaccine.
• Hepatitis A vaccine is a set of two shots for children over 12 months years of age. Infants and toddlers now get this shot as a part of the routine childhood immunization schedule. There is no current plan for catch-up immunization for children 2 to 18 years old unless they live in a high-risk area that offers a Hepatitis A immunization program or if the children are at high risk themselves. Some children who are considered high risk for Hepatitis A are those who travel to developing countries, have clotting-factor disorders, suffer from chronic liver disease or those who abuse drugs. The Hepatitis A shots are required to attend many preschools.
• Prevnar is a vaccine that can help prevent infections by pneumococcal bacteria, a common cause of blood infections, meningitis and ear infections in children. It is typically given between the ages of two months and five years. It is often required to attend preschool. The vaccine is not approved for older children. However, there is a different version of the vaccine available for certain older high-risk children such as children with immune system disorders but it is not required for school.
• Meningococcal vaccine is to prevent the contraction of meningitis in college students. Recommendations are for college freshmen, especially if they will be living in a dormitory, to receive one dose of the Meningococcal vaccine. The newest version of the Meningococcal vaccine, Menactra, is now recommended for children 11 to 12 years old. Older children should have the vaccine before entering high school or college.

Not only does each state have their own immunization requirements, but school districts and private schools may dictate their own requirements as well. Therefore, it is important to ask the school your child will be attending if his or her specific immunization history is sufficient to permit registration for the upcoming year.