Back to School with ABC 10: Immunizations before heading back to school

MARQUETTE COUNTY — It’s that time of the year where parents are happy to see their kids going back to school, but it is important to make sure your kids are all updated on the necessary shots.

“The key to vaccinations is too get them accomplished before children or young adults are exposed to the bacteria or viruses that they are designed to protect against,” said M.D. Family Physician from Bell Medical Clinic, Michael J. Prevost.

The question about vaccines are why exactly are they important for people to get vaccinated and has it even been successful?

“On the history of medicine, very few breakthroughs have been as successful as immunizations have been,” added Dr. Prevost. “Many diseases we don’t even see anymore because of our vaccine programs. So they have been immensely successful as far as that goes.”

Most children receive many shots in their first two years after being born. So when do children receive their next vaccinations before going to school?

“Kids between the age of 4 and 6 usually get booster vaccines around that time,” said Dr. Prevost. “Those would include Diptheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus booster. This also includes Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chicken Pox booster, polio booster and of course the flu vaccine in season.”

So when do people in older demographics need to look at getting the next set of vaccinations?

“The second big push is in young adults before they graduate from high school,” added Dr. Prevost. “Such as with Meningitis vaccines before they go off to college, also with the HPV vaccine before people are exposed to the human papilloma virus. They will also receive boosters for Hepatitis B and A, especially when any individual does any travel abroad then many of those is very important.”

So if you have not gone and updated your shots it may be a good time to do so.