Vaccinations need to be part of your back to school checklist.
Putnam County Health Department Nursing Supervisor Heidi Corbeil said vaccines are especially important for school age children because of a heightened risk of disease exposure. Corbeil said parents should get their kids vaccinated so they can stay healthy enough to attend school.
“At four years old, four and five years old, [kids will] need four vaccines,” Corbeil said. “D-TaP, Polio and in-arm Varicella. And then in seventh grade, after 11 years old or seventh grade, they are required to get a Tdap, and we offer Meningococcal and HPV at that time as well, which are not required.”
Vaccine requirements end for school age kids after seventh grade, but Corbeil said there are some requirements for students seeking higher education.
“College aged kids, if they are planning on living on campus, they do require Meningococcal vaccine,” Corbeil said.
Corbeil said students who are not vaccinated are at higher risk of catching a contagious illness. She said nationwide measles outbreaks did not affect kids who were vaccinated.
Corbeil said the flu is the most impactful illness on school-age kids. Corbeil said flu shots are offered in the schools each fall, and parents can sign up for their child to receive one.
Corbeil said vaccinations for illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 are not required, but they are still offered annually.
The importance of vaccination is high, but Corbeil said students can further protect themselves from getting sick by practicing good hygiene.
“Always make sure you’re washing your hands,” Corbeil said. “Try not to touch your face, but before you touch your face or eat any food. Just wash your hands frequently, and be mindful if someone is sick, stay out of school. If someone gets sick at school, try to stay away from those people to slow the spread.”
Corbeil said the Putnam County Health Department is typically open from 8 am to 4:30 pm, but there will be extended hours on July 31, August 4, and August 7 for student vaccination. On those days, the department will remain open until 6:30.
