Back to School Vaccines
With the start of school right around the corner, don�t forget some vaccinations are required before entering school, not just for kindergarten students but all ages, including seventh graders in some states and college students.
In addition to required vaccinations, many other vaccines are also available at The Little Clinic and can offer additional protection for your child:
Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine
According to the CDC, about eight to nine of every 10 people who receive the vaccination are completely protected from chickenpox. In addition, the vaccine almost always prevents against severe disease. If a vaccinated person does get chickenpox, it is usually a very mild case lasting only a few days and involving fewer skin lesions (usually less than 50), mild or no fever, and few other symptoms.
Tdap
Because it is spread person to person, pertussis (whooping cough) can be extremely contagious when introduced into a school setting. It can last for months and interferes with school and schoolwork. Because of these risks, many states are requiring the Tdap vaccination before entering the 7th grade. Tdap provides protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis and is recommended every 10 years for people 11 through 64 years of age.
Meningitis
Meningitis is a severe infection caused by meningococcal bacteria that can result in permanent nerve damage, organ failure, shock and death. Adolescents between the ages 16 and 21 have the highest rates of meningococcal disease. It is recommended that all 11-12 year olds be vaccinated with meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) and a booster dose should be given at age 16.
Gardasil
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide and is caused by a sexually-transmitted virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Gardasil, an FDA-approved vaccine, is given in three doses over six months and is recommended for those girls ages 11 through 26 years of age for the prevention of cervical cancer and boys ages 11-21. For HPV-related vaccines to be effective they must be given prior to HPV exposure, according to the CDC.
Seasonal Flu Vaccine
Influenza (flu) is a virus that can strike any time of year, not just the colder months. Because flu is contagious and can cause lengthy illness (up to 10-14 days), vaccination is recommended as the first line of defense against the virus. The vaccine offers protection against several strains of flu and, if flu is contracted from another flu strain, symptoms and illness duration are often less in vaccinated individuals as opposed to unvaccinated individuals.
Your provider at The Little Clinic can review your child�s vaccination history and help determine if your child can benefit from any of these vaccinations. Additionally, since vaccinations don�t last a lifetime, you might be ready for some updates yourself.