LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With back to school dates quickly approaching, doctors have said parents might want to double check with their pediatricians on which vaccines are needed for this coming school year.

What You Need To Know

  • During the pandemic, many parents stopped taking their child to the pediatrician for wellness checkups

  • According to the CDC, routine vaccinations for children are down as much as 20% 

  • Doctors recommend scheduling those appointments as soon as possible, because offices will be very busy right before school starts

Health officials are warning that many children across the country have fallen behind on wellness check-ups and back to school shots.

“We definitely saw a decrease in the check-ups in the last 14 months or so which led to a decrease overall as far as the vaccination rate across the country, not just here,” said Dr. Jennifer Stiff, a pediatrician with Norton Children’s Medical Associates Stonestreet.

According to the CDC, routine vaccinations among children are down as much as 20%. Experts are concerned because not catching up on vaccines could lead to a loss of herd immunity for diseases like measles, whooping cough, and chicken pox.

Dr. Stiff said that could have a big impact on groups like babies and the elderly.

“We really need herd immunity so a lot of people in the community can be vaccinated in order for those to be protected for the bulk of people who are at risk for those," Stiff said.

Recommended Vaccines

4-6 years

  • DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
  • IPV (Polio)
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)

11-12 years

  • HPV (human papillomavirus): Given in two shots. For teens and young adults ages 15-26, it is given in three shots
  • Tdap booster
  • Meningococcal (Meningitis)

Teens

  • Meningitis booster
  • HPV, if not given during the pre-teen years.

Dr. Stiff recommends birthdays as being a helpful reminder for parents to schedule a wellness check-up. The best way to make sure your child, regardless of age, is properly vaccinated is to schedule a yearly wellness visit with their pediatrician.

Dr. Stiff said that parents should try and get appointments scheduled as soon as possible, because offices will be very busy right before school starts.

“Definitely that week before and then the pickup in the beginning of August, we see families rushing the door for their check-ups,” Stiff said.

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