It’s hard to believe, but the school year is almost about to start. Parents and children are heading straight to the stores and buying some school supplies, new backpacks, and new clothes, just to name a few. For your child to enter the school year safely, they must get vaccinated. In this big state of ours also known as Illinois, there are several required shots your child must have before setting foot on a school ground. Here are four of those required vaccinations they must have.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
This first vaccination is normally a requirement for students entering Pre-K. The Hepatitis B vaccine is required in Illinois schools to help protect children from this disease. This disease is impacting thousands of people, including children. Hepatitis B spreads by sharing needles, syringes, and from mother to baby at birth. Prevent your child from being at risk by getting them vaccinated against Hepatitis B. There are side effects such as muscle weakness, and numbness of the arms and legs, but those are rare. Hepatitis B is also a required vaccine for children entering 6th grade if they didn’t previously receive it.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
Measles, mumps, and rubella shot are one of the most common immunizations required for children to re-enter school. It protects children against four diseases- measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella or chickenpox. The vaccination is only licensed for use in children 12 months through 12 years old. MMR shot is usually very safe but could contain side effects.
Sore arms, fever, mild rash, or temporary pain and stiffness in the joints. However, most people who do receive the MMR vaccine don’t receive these side effects. So you should be okay getting your child this vaccine.
Tetanus Vaccine
The state of Illinois recommend this vaccine for both children and adults. But it is especially important for children going to Pre-K and Kindergarten. The tetanus vaccine protects against bacterial infection, also known as lockjaw. When diagnosed with tetanus, it could cause painful muscle spasms. Because there’s no cure for this condition, 10 to 20% of people diagnosed with it could die.
As with the others, there are some mild side effects of the tetanus vaccine. But if you get your child vaccinated against this serious illness, you will be protecting them as they head off in the school year.
Polio Vaccine
The polio shot is another common vaccination required amongst children entering or re-entering school. Children entering Kindergarten or the 1st grade must receive this vaccine. At the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year, parents must show proof that their child has received 4 or more doses of the polio vaccine. The last one is received on or after their 4th birthday.
The side effects are common for the vaccine, including soreness or redness where the injection is applied as well as fever. However, they are rare and this vaccination is vital in the protection against polio illness and when traveling overseas.
What about the COVID-19 Vaccine?
While a lot of parents have been getting their young children vaccinated against COVID-19, it’s not yet a required school-entering vaccination. A recent article published last year shed light on why this is the case. It states that many health experts don’t feel it’s time for schools to mandate the vaccine yet. That’s because, in the 20th century, it’s simply been too difficult for educational institutions to add new vaccines to the mandate list. But that doesn’t mean it will never happen.
“I think down the line, just as we’ve mandated that you have to be vaccinated against chickenpox before you can go to school, I think COVID will eventually be added to that portfolio,” says Dr. Stella Safo, founder of Just Equity for Health, a New York City-based health care company that focuses on equitable care delivery.
But until that day comes, parents, these are just 4 of the most important vaccinations your children must get to enter or re-enter school. So be sure that you get your child vaxxed up for their health and protection while attending school.
Share your interesting experiences of taking your child to the doctor for vaccinations or anything else in the comments below. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next mother you know.
