Importance of Vaccinations Before School Starts

CLEVELAND - August is National Immunization Awareness Month.

Do you know if your little one is up to date on their vaccines?

If not, it’s important to add that to your to-do list before school starts.

“Heading off to school is a great time to make sure that kids are up to date on their vaccines. They're going to be in close quarters with other children. They’ll be sharing toys, school supplies, sometimes even their water bottles, and that's how germs spread,” said Kimberly Giuliano, MD, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. 

Dr. Giuliano said the type of immunization a child needs depends on their age. 

For example, the first dose of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, is given between 12 and 15 months old, and then the second dose at four and six years old. 

She notes that all the vaccines recommended by the CDC are considered safe and have been thoroughly tested. 

“Vaccines have been around for years. There's really nothing that we're immunizing for right now that we don't have years and years of data around. And I think if you talk to a lot of pediatricians, they'll tell you anecdotally, we just don't see a lot of problems. I'm much more likely to see kids with illnesses than I am with vaccine side effects,” she said. 

Dr. Giuliano said immunizations don’t just provide protection for your child, but for others who may be at higher risk for getting sick, such as babies and people who are immunocompromised.