The
temperature is (slowly) dropping, the days are getting shorter and there is a
new hustle and bustle in town. This can
only mean one thing…school is about to start! If you’re like me you already
have a running checklist in your head:
- Meet the teacher.
- Buy school supplies.
- Do my kids’ clothes still fit? I think they’ve grown a foot this summer…better check.
- Soccer practice…is that tonight? Maybe it’s tomorrow? Where did I put that schedule?!
One
thing I almost forgot this year was to schedule a doctor’s appointment
to make sure my kids are up-to-date with all of their vaccines. I know that no
one likes getting shots, especially kids, but vaccines protect our children, their
classmates and the community from much scarier PREVENTABLE diseases.
Although
we as parents don’t usually want our kids to be followers, when it comes to
vaccinations our family absolutely follows
the herd. Let me explain. When most members of the community are immunized
against an infectious disease there is just a small chance for an outbreak.
Those who are not eligible for certain vaccines – such as infants, pregnant
women or immunocompromised people – gain some protection because the spread of infectious
disease is contained. This is known as “herd”
immunity.
So in short, by making sure you and your family are up-to-date
with vaccines you are
protecting your whole community!
This is a full list of
all NYS vaccine requirements for the 2018-2019 School Year. Here are the most common vaccines your kids will
need for the school year:
Kindergarten:
Remember that herd immunity we were just
talking about? Here’s a perfect example: measles were declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but officials are now investigating an outbreak that has spread to
21 states (including New York) and the District of Columbia. The majority of
people who got measles were unvaccinated. Although some people think of measles as just a little rash
and fever that clears up in a few days, the disease can cause serious health complications, especially in
children younger than 5 years of age.
Grade 6:
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis – protection from 3 diseases in one shot!)
Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties have seen
many cases of pertussis or whooping cough over the past few years, most
recently this June. Pertussis is also known as “whooping cough” because of the
“whooping” sound that someone makes when gasping for air after a fit of
coughing. Coughing fits can last for up to 10 weeks or more; some people know
this disease as the “100 day cough.” I don’t know about you but that’s not how
I want to spend the next 3 months!
Grades 7,
8, 9 and 12:
Preteens and teens are at increased risk for
meningococcal disease, an uncommon but serious illness that can result in
permanent disabilities and even death. Over the last few years vaccine
requirements have changed to protect those most at risk.
Depending where your child is in their vaccine schedule, their
provider may recommend additional vaccines to make sure they are fully
protected.
Prevention is key with diseases like
meningococcal, whooping cough and measles. If you haven’t been to your child’s
Primary Care Provider, now is the time to make that appointment! With these
vaccines under their belt, our kids can concentrate on learning and all of the
exciting things that the new school year has to offer. Questions? Call our
Health Care Services Division at 518-565-4848.
Jacqueline Allan, Registered Professional
Nurse
Health Care Services
