The Importance of Back-To-School Immunizations

Philadelphia, August 16, 2004 – Julie S. Massey, MD, a pediatrician at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, helps her young patients prepare for the new school year by protecting them from debilitating and potentially fatal diseases, like polio and tetanus, by providing them with the necessary immunization shots.

“Administering the vaccine(s) is a crucial part of the full medical check-up that includes height, weight, vision and hearing assessments. The shots tend to come at the end of the visit,” says Dr. Massey.

With many vaccines available today, which ones does your child need? According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s National Immunization Program, the following vaccines should either be complete or in the process of completion for typical school-age children: hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), pneumococcal, influenza and in some cases hepatitis A. For more information on specific age requirements for vaccines as well as additional immunizations, please visit the National Immunization Program’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/child-schedule.htm.

Dr. Massey warns that despite the fact school requirements help children stay on schedule for their shots, there seems to be a tendency for immunizations to get delayed or missed as the child becomes older.

“Even though schools habitually ask that these vaccines be administered to students prior to the school year, it is key to reinforce the fact that immunizations are a necessary measure to helping children live long and healthy lives,” says Dr. Massey.

“The effects of missing such shots can be devastating. If children do not receive the proper shots at the appropriate time, they are at risk for diseases such as measles and chicken pox. While most children recover from these illnesses, many are hospitalized due to complications and in fact, some do die,” she says.

She also advises parents to contact either their primary care physician or local health center to make an appointment for their child to receive the proper shots.

Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, a member of the Jefferson Health System, provides healthcare services through Albert Einstein Medical Center, Germantown Community Health Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Einstein at Elkins Park, MossRehab, Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), Belmont Behavioral Health and a number of outpatient and satellite locations. Einstein also operates a primary care network, Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare. For more information, visit www.einstein.edu or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.

Publish date: August 16, 2004