Vaccines have an important “jab” to do!

As summer vacations come to an end and school supply lists stack up on the fridge—your back-to school to-do list is probably starting to fill up! We get a lot of questions this time of year around annual school/daycare physicals for infants and children. One of the most common — what back to school vaccine schedule is required?

Here are some vaccination fundamentals to consider.

Why Vaccines?

Most schools (and many daycares) will require your child to be up to date on several childhood vaccinations. Here’s why — according to the Mayo Clinic, vaccines have been developed to combat serious diseases that historically were known to harm or kill infants, children and/or adults. In general, a disease has qualified to be a vaccine if it was common, potentially deadly or had the ability to cause long lasting disability.

Timing for these vaccines is key, which is why the childhood vaccination schedule was designed. Its goal is to protect babies and children when their immune systems are ready and before they are likely to encounter the real infection.

For instance, there are certain conditions that we vaccinate children for because of the organ damage and/or long-term complications the disease can cause. Because of this schedule, there has been a significant reduction in recent decades of many previously common childhood diseases including measles and polio.

Vaccine Schedules

Many questions have evolved as the childhood vaccination schedule has been released. Most, if not all, stem from parents wanting to do what is best for their kids! If you have questions or concerns about your child’s vaccination schedule, make sure to speak with their pediatrician.

Some parents like to space out vaccines if possible. This could be due to their child’s reactions to vaccines in the past (maybe they are more prone to an immune response like fevers or congestion) or wanting to space out the aluminum content that can come from each vaccine (you can find further information on vaccines and aluminum content here).

Your child’s pediatrician is the best person to bring any of these questions to as they know YOUR child’s medical history and current state of health. They can also answer why specific vaccines are recommended for different age groups.

Make sure to let your child’s pediatrician know if they have:

• had a reaction to a vaccine before (this is rare, but you need to be aware if your child needs treatment right away!)
• a latex allergy
• an egg allergy
• a weakened immune system
• a gelatin allergy
• a neomycin allergy

Again, if your child has a history of the concerns listed above, your pediatrician should already be aware. However, if you’ve switched providers recently — this is a very important list of your child’s medical history for them to know prior to vaccine administration.

An excellent resource for recommended vaccines, common side effects, and when to talk to your provider can also be found at Vaccines for Children – A Guide for Parents and Caregivers | FDA.

How to Support Your Child During a Vaccine:

Even as a Nurse, I will be the first to say — I’ve never liked vaccines. Even as an adult, needles are painful, and vaccinations can feel scary. Below are some ways to support/prepare your child before, during and after a vaccination.

As parents, vaccination can be a hot topic—don’t be afraid to be honest about any concerns or fears you have with your child’s medical team. They are there to guide you through the process of keeping your child thriving and healthy!

If you feel like your concerns are not being heard or listened to, you have every right to seek out a second opinion from another medical professional and/or pediatrician. We’ve included some helpful informational resources below if you would like more information.

Fever and Vaccines | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (chop.edu)

Birth-18 Years Immunization Schedule – Healthcare Providers | CDC

Childhood vaccines: Tough questions, straight answers – Mayo Clinic

Vaccine guidance from Mayo Clinic – Mayo Clinic