Immunization Awareness Month: Get Your Child School-Ready

August is Immunization Awareness Month, a perfect time to prepare your child for the new school year. Along with getting school supplies and clothes, making sure your child’s shots are up to date is one of the most important steps you can take. These shots protect your child’s health and help keep classmates and teachers safe. When children spend hours together in classrooms, it is easier for sickness to spread. When you get your child the right shots, you lower the chance of illness and help protect others around them.

Why Immunizations Are Important

Getting shots on time has lasting benefits for your child and the whole community. They protect against sickness, lower the chance of outbreaks, and meet school rules for attendance.

Disease Prevention

Shots protect against serious illnesses like measles, mumps, chickenpox, polio, and whooping cough. These sicknesses can cause long absences from school and lasting health problems. Keeping up with shots gives your child a strong defense.

Preventing Outbreaks

When many children get their shots, it is harder for sickness to spread. If too many skip their shots, outbreaks can happen quickly in schools. Learning about how vaccines work and the benefits they provide is key to making informed decisions. By staying informed and keeping vaccination rates high, we can protect not only individual children but also the health of those around them.

Comply With School Requirements

In Maryland, children must have certain shots before starting school. This includes protection against the following illnesses:

Measles
Mumps
Rubella
Polio
Tetanus
Diphtheria
Whooping cough

Schools often ask for an up-to-date shot record before the first day of class. Having this ready helps your child start the year without delay.

What You Can Do

Getting ready for school includes checking that your child’s shots are current. The following simple steps can make the process smooth and stress-free.

Check Your Child’s Vaccination Record

Look at your child’s shot record before the school year begins. Compare it to the Maryland EPSDT immunization schedule for your child’s age. If you do not have the record, call your child’s doctor or clinic. This helps you know if your child needs any shots.

Schedule a Well-Child Visit

A well-child visit is a good time to catch up on missing shots. The provider can also check your child’s growth and answer questions. If your child needs more than one shot, the provider can plan the best way to give them with the least stress.

Help Your Child Feel Comfortable

Shots can cause worry for some children, but a little preparation can make a big difference. Talk to them in a calm voice and explain that the shot might feel like a quick pinch. Bring a favorite toy or blanket for comfort. Praise them afterward for being brave. If they feel sore later, a cool cloth can help.

Reach Out for Support

You do not have to handle back-to-school health steps alone. If you are a member of Jai Medical Systems, we can help you find a provider, make an appointment, and assist with transportation to and from your child’s primary care apppointment. Call us at 1-888-JAI-1999 if you need help getting your child school-ready. We are here to make the process easier for you and your family.

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