By Karla Sullivan
Generally speaking, August is the month dedicated to getting ready to going back to school but it is also National Immunization Month, a grate time to promoting family awareness of stay up-to-date on vaccinations.
Kids Health describes an immunization schedule for children and generally when vaccines are recommended from birth-to-college. It is also important to keep an accurate written record of you or your child’s vaccinations in a safe place for review.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends the following for those 11- and 12-years old:
· A Tdap booster shot – this shot protects against tetanus (“TET-nes”), diphtheria (“dif-THEER-ee-ah”), and whooping cough (pertussis).
· A MCV4 shot – this shot protects pre-teens against types of meningococcal disease, including meningitis (“men-in-JY-tis”). Meningitis is a very serious infection of the tissue around the brain and spinal cord.
· Three HPV shots – these shots protect against human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can cause cervical cancer in women and genital warts and anal cancer in both women and men.
· An annual flu shot – the flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu.
The Affordable Care Act covers recommended vaccines. But check with your insurance provider to see if your pre-teen immunizations are covered at no cost to you. If you don’t have insurance, you may qualify for free shots, so contact your county or state health department to find out how you can qualify.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides a VIS or Vaccine Information Statement that provides a detailed explanation of the vaccine and its preventive measures and potential side effects.
Beginning in 2013, each new or updated VIS will be accompanied with a “Provider Information” document, which will summarize relevant ACIP recommendations; include more detailed information about indications, schedules, and precautions; and contain other information giving providers a quick reference to help address common patients’ questions.
As of March 2013, VIS’s for the following vaccinations are required under the National Vaccine Childhood Injury Act:
· Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis containing vaccines (DTaP, DT, Td, and Tdap)
· Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
· Hepatitis A
· Hepatitis B
· Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
· Influenza (both Inactivated and Live, Intranasal vaccines)
· MMR
· MMRV
· Meningococcal
· Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV13)
· Polio
· Rotavirus
· Varicella
