Back-to-school season is just days away for some students, and that means parents are out getting
supplies, new clothes and back packs. It’s also the perfect time to make sure your kids are up to date
on their vaccines.
Unvaccinated children are at increased risk for contracting vaccine-preventable diseases like measles,
mumps and whooping cough. They also may spread such diseases which are serious or potentially
life-threatening for high-risk individuals such as infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated and
others who have weakened immune systems due to other health conditions.
Ohio has had 377 confirmed cases of measles this year, the largest outbreak in the U.S. since 1994.
Ohio’s mumps outbreak stands at 473 cases.
To emphasize the importance of immunizations for everyone, and to make sure that children in particular
are protected with all of the vaccines they need, the Ohio Department of Health is joining the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness
Month.
"Getting children all of the vaccines recommended by CDC’s immunization schedule is one of the most
important things parents can do to protect their children’s health and that of classmates and the
community," said State Epidemiologist Dr. Mary DiOrio. "If you haven’t done so already, now is
the time to check with your doctor to find out what vaccines your child needs, and when."
Most schools require children to be current on vaccinations before enrolling to protect the health of all
students.
Children who are 4 to 6 years old are due for boosters of four vaccines: DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and
pertussis), chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and polio.
Youths who are preteens and teen-agers need Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), MenACWY
(meningococcal conjugate vaccine) and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines. In addition, yearly flu
vaccines are recommended for all children 6 months and older.
Parents can find out more about the recommended immunization schedule at:
http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhprograms/dis/immunization/imunchsc.aspx.