Aug. 16--Going back to school is an exciting time for children and parents alike, but back to school also means back to a germ-filled environment.
Vaccinations, or getting a shot to prevent a disease ahead of time, are a big -- and required -- part of every child's back to school routine.
"Vaccinations are important public health measures that prevent the spread of deadly infectious diseases like meningitis, measles, and polio," said Judith S. Palfrey, MD, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Studies show modern vaccines are safe and effective."
This year alone, vaccines will prevent 33,000 deaths and 14 million infections, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Viruses and bacteria that cause diseases like whooping cough, chickenpox and meningitis still exist in this country, and travelers can easily bring other diseases here. Without vaccinations, infections like measles could spread quickly.
"Unimmunized children are at risk of getting sick and dying of preventable illnesses," Palfrey said. Even though many of the diseases have very few cases now-a-days, the bacteria that cause the diseases still exist -- which is why children need the vaccine."
The immunization schedule is designed to work best with a child's immune system -- at certain ages and at specific times, when he or she is most vulnerable to serious complications from an infection. For the complete immunization schedule for children 0-18 years old, visit aap.org/immunization/IZSchedule.html. The AAP also recommends every child between six months and 18 years gets an annual flu vaccine.
"The vaccinations are there to prevent infections and viruses and things like that," Lenoir County Health Department nurse Melanie Palmer said. "There are just a lot of reasons as to why they are required -- the easiest way to prevent a disease from spreading is to stop it before they can even get it."
According to the North Carolina Division of Public Health a child should have several vaccinations by the time he or she is 2 years old. These include three rounds of Hepatitis B, three of PCV (Pneumococcal), three of IPV(Inactivated Poliovirus), three of rotavirus, four of DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis), and one of both measles, mumps and rubella and varicella.
Before entering Kindergarten, the state of North Carolina requires a child is required to have an additional DTaP, PCV, IPV, MMR, and Varicella.
"The No. 1 thing I can say, especially for kindergarteners, is they must have their immunizations up to date and their kindergarten health assessment up to date before they can start school," Hartford said. "
Elizabeth Hartford, school nurse at Rochelle Middle School, Northwest Elementary, and Sampson alternative school is one of seven school nurses that cover 18 schools in the county. Every nurse will have more than one school, and they will not be at those schools every day unless needed.
In addition to the vaccinations, a physician will fill out a kindergarten health assessment.
A new vaccine is required for entering sixth graders -- an additional TDaP. If students do not have the shots within 30 days of the start of school, they will be suspended, in accordance with state law.
Hartford said never to send a child to school with 100.5 or greater fever, and once they have a fever, they should be fever-free, without medication, for 24 hours before they return to school. She also recommends an annual flu shot, and stressed that parents remind their children about good hand washing to prevent the spread of germs.
Children can take medication at schools if needed, but doing so will require forms be filed with the school beforehand.
"If children are going to receive medication at school, they are required to get a Lenoir County public schools medication permission form completed by a registered physician," Hartford said. "This form applies to all over-the-counter and prescription medications for ages K-12."
School systems will send home a student health emergency form for the parent to complete in the first weeks of school. Parents will be asked to fill out any health conditions, such as conditions limiting physical activity that the school needs to be aware of and emergency contact information, Hartford said.
Joel Gerber can be reached at 252-559-1076 or jgerber@freedomenc.com.
Breakout Box: Back to school health tips
Parents should not strap a jumbo backpack on their children -- never more than 20% of the child's body weight. Some children even prefer a rolling backpack like the wheeled suitcase their parents take on business trips. Make sure the backpack has wide straps and a padded back.
Any health problems should be made known to the school. Allergies are a good example. Also inform the school of physical restrictions. Does the child have asthma, a scoliosis brace, or a heart murmur? How should this affect physical activity?
Above all, make sure your child's emergency telephone number card is accurate and kept current. The child's physician and dentist also need to be listed and family contacts in the order they are to be called: mother, father, grandmother, or whomever the parents designate
Source: The American Academy of Pediatrics
State pulls funding for vaccinations
Breakout Box: Back to school health tips
Parents should not strap a jumbo backpack on their children -- never more than 20% of the child's body weight. Some children even prefer a rolling backpack like the wheeled suitcase their parents take on business trips. Make sure the backpack has wide straps and a padded back.
Any health problems should be made known to the school. Allergies are a good example. Also inform the school of physical restrictions. Does the child have asthma, a scoliosis brace, or a heart murmur? How should this affect physical activity?
Above all, make sure your child's emergency telephone number card is accurate and kept current. The child's physician and dentist also need to be listed and family contacts in the order they are to be called: mother, father, grandmother, or whomever the parents designate
Source: The American Academy of Pediatrics
State pulls funding for vaccinations
Due to budget cuts, children's vaccinations will no longer be covered by the state.
In years past, North Carolina provided funding in addition to the federally-funded vaccination program for its own comprehensive vaccination program. Most children under 18 years of age were given all necessary vaccinations free of charge.
This year, however, due to budget restraints, there is not enough funding to continue the program, according to Lenoir County Health Director Joey Huff. "Up until the last couple of years, North Carolina has had a very comprehensive free immunization program," Huff said. "With the ongoing budgetary crisis, they have reduced the level of state funding, so vaccinations will no longer be free."
"Just a short time ago, any state-mandated vaccine could be given to a child free -- this is a significant change," Huff said. "North Carolina had a nationally recognized immunization program, and I certainly hope they will find some funding for it in the future."
Now the only children who are eligible for free vaccinations are those who qualify for the national program, including those who are eligible for Medicaid, are Eskimo or Native American, or are uninsured or underinsured with no third party coverage.
An additional vaccine is required for all students going into sixth grade this year. TDaP or Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis will be required before students can attend sixth grade. If those students do not have the vaccination by 30 days from the start of school, they will be suspended in accordance with state law.
Changes in the vaccination system went into effect on July 1. For the transition, the state has provided one-time money to immunize children with TDaP in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades for this year only.
While most medical insurance covers immunizations, there will likely be a co-pay or out-of-pocket deductible. Unimmunized children could potentially present a major problem if families cannot pay for the additional co-pay, Huff said. "It is concerning that because of these reductions, it could be that parents cannot or choose not to pay for the vaccine, and their children will be unimmunized," Huff said. "We fear the mumps, measles, whooping cough, and the very diseases these immunizations are designed to prevent if some children are unimmunized."
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