It's that time of year again, where children (and some adults) are getting ready to go back to school, from getting new uniforms, clothes, and shoes to new backpacks and school supplies. But as parents, grandparents, and guardians, there is also another form of preparation that needs to be done: we need to ensure that our children are fully vaccinated to be protected from preventable diseases. Whether our children are off to preschool or to college, we must ensure that they are prepared for success by keeping them healthy with life-saving vaccines.   

Depending on age, there are a few basic vaccines individuals should have to keep healthy based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which our online pharmacists  are well-versed with. These are especially vital for children that are back in the classrooms, which represent the majority of kids today in the United States. In addition to all of the previous vaccinations recommended prior to the age of 4, the following vaccines are recommended for children of school age.

For children 4 to 6 years of age, the recommended vaccinations are:

1. Annual influenza vaccination
2. COVID-19 vaccination
3. Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (Dtap) - 5th dose
4. Inactivated poliovirus - 4th dose
5. Varicella
6. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)

The next set of recommended vaccinations are given at ages 11 and 12. These are the tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap), and Meningococcal vaccinations.

Don’t be left in the dark about vaccinations and what to do in the event that your child is not up-to-date with one or more of these vaccinations.  Chat online today with one of our licensed pharmacists at AskUSPharmacist for more information about these vaccinations. There are options available no matter how behind you may be in your child’s vaccinations. Let us help you get your children caught up and protected this school year.

For adults 18 years and older, many additional vaccinations are recommended based on whether there are medical conditions or indications that warrant them.

• If you are pregnant, it is recommended that you get the Tdap vaccine with each pregnancy.  
• For college-aged individuals (ages 19-23), a Meningococcal B vaccination is recommended due to the high incidence of meningitis in that population.
• If you are 50 years old and over, it is recommended to get Shingrix, the shingles vaccine, due to how dangerous that disease can be on the immune systems of older individuals. 
• For adults 65 years old and above or adults with diabetes or heart disease, the pneumococcal vaccine is recommended.

Your medical factors as well as past vaccinations will dictate which pneumococcal vaccine you need to get.  As with all drugs, there are situations where a vaccine may be contraindicated in certain patients depending on their health status. Talk today with one of our online pharmacists and let us help you determine which vaccine(s) are appropriate for you, your children, and your loved ones.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html