Health & Fitness
Back to School Means Time for Immunizations
As a mother of three, I understand the weeks leading up to the school year are consumed with checklists and shopping trips. But at the top of my family's checklist is immunizations.
As a mother of three, I understand that the weeks leading up to the school year are consumed with checklists and shopping trips. School clothes, backpacks, pencils and college-ruled notebook paper are just a few of the items that top these lists. But one item that’s at the top of my family’s checklist is immunizations.
In Maryland, children are required to have four doses of a vaccination called DTaP prior to kindergarten. It protects children against three serious illnesses: diphtheria, which can lead to breathing problems, paralysis and death; pertussis or whooping cough, which can lead to pneumonia, seizures and brain damage; and tetanus or lockjaw, which prevents victims from opening their mouths or swallowing and can lead to death.
Other required vaccinations for children enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade include: polio, varicella, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella.
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If you have questions or concerns about immunization safety and dosage, I encourage you to discuss the topic with your physician or on our Facebook discussion board. I am happy to answer any questions you and your family may have about keeping your children safe this school year.
