Vaccines part of school prep for all ages

Tweens, college-age students still need immunizations too

Most Yuma-area students are back in the classroom, hitting the books and finding their fall groove.

But there is one bit of “back to school” preparation that could be overlooked — yet it’s critical for a healthy, safe school year. That step? Immunizations. In Yuma County, there is a high percentage of compliance for kindergarten vaccines, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services, which puts Yuma County in the 97th and 98th percentiles for getting kindergarten students vaccinated. Fewer than 2 percent of students had an exemption for the vaccination requirements. (Exemptions can be given for personal/religious reasons, or medical waivers, for example). That’s great news at the kindergarten level, but it’s critical that parents stay on top of immunizations for their children through middle school, high school and college.

The Today Show recently aired a warning to families about meningitis, an illness marked by infection and inflammation in the fluids surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or other bugs, Today reports, but immunizations can help prevent bacterial meningitis. That’s critical, because that specific type can be easily spread by people living in close quarters, such as dorm rooms.

Today notes that meningitis B is also the most common type found in adolescents.

Yet there is a vaccination schedule out there to help prevent this.

Around ages 11-12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children get one dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine, to help prevent against some of the bacteria that can cause meningitis.

Then, at age 16, a booster shot of meningococcal conjugate vaccine is needed to maintain that protection.

Between the ages of 16 and 18, the CDC and the AAP also recommend the serogroup B (MenB) meningococcal vaccine, which can give added protection to students.

The vaccination schedule can be confusing, but ultimately, parents have the ability to give their children an extra layer of protection.

The Today Show recommends people talk to their doctors about the vaccines and make sure their children have the right immunizations in place.

Yuma has terrific immunization rates, but following that advice can help ensure your child is safe well into adulthood.