Back to School Vaccines: Getting Protected from Potentially Dangerous Diseases

School just let out, but it’s not too early to think about your back-to-school to-do list. In addition to an annual health checkup visit for their children, parents may need to be reminded of needed immunizations.

Children entering kindergarten should receive a “booster” dose of DTaP to protect against whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria. This can be given as early as FOUR years old, so they do not have to wait until kindergarten entry. Kids going to kindergarten also need a second dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, and a second Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, to solidify their immunity to these diseases. These vaccines can be given as early as one month (MMR) or three months (varicella, or the combination vaccine MMRV) after the first dose if there are outbreaks of these illnesses in the area.

Incoming 7th and 12th graders are required to have immunizations against meningococcal disease. This safe and effective immunization protects against four of the deadliest meningococcal strains (A, C, W, and Y) and is first recommended at age 11-12, with a booster dose at age 16. We also have an effective immunization against the “B” strain of meningococcus. This can be given at 16, but your provider may delay this vaccine if your child is an incoming freshman or sophomore at the 16-year checkup. A new vaccine, combining all five strains of the bacteria (A, B, C, W, and Y) has recently been approved by the CDC, so your provider may recommend this vaccine if it is available.

Meningococcal disease can be devastating and often strikes unexpectedly in otherwise healthy people, causing infections in the brain and spinal cord. The disease can cause permanent disabilities, disfigurement and even death. While the disease isn’t extremely common, the complication and death rates are high in patients with the illness. Teens and young adults are at a higher risk because it can be spread easily through sharing glasses, eating utensils and water bottles, kissing, or living in close quarters (such as college dorms, apartments, and military barracks). You can read more about meningococcal disease, symptoms and prevention here.

Incoming 7th graders in Ohio are also required to receive a Tdap shot (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis/whooping cough), making it very easy for parents to schedule their student for a well visit and receive all necessary vaccines during the same visit. Whooping cough cases have spiked in the US in the past year. In 2024 there were 10 pediatric deaths (six children under age one) due to whooping cough, so this is not an “innocent” disease. Contact your provider to find out about all immunizations your child needs.

Both the TdaP and the meningococcal vaccines can be given at the 11-year checkup visit. Your child does not have to wait until entering 7th grade to be protected against these diseases.

Have a great (and safe) summer and remember to be prepared for the next school year.