This back-to-school season, Vaccinate Your Family is teaming up with the Southern Alliance for Public Health Leadership (SAPHL) to help families prepare for the upcoming school year. SAPHL Executive Director Scott Thorpe shares practical steps families, caregivers, and public health leaders can take to make sure students are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Scott shares his insight with Vaccinate Your Family below.
Back-to-school season is a natural milestone for a health check-up. While state requirements may vary slightly, your child may have specific vaccine requirements based on their grade level. Checking records now ensures children meet state and school district enrollment requirements, preventing any delays on the first day of class.
Here are some easy, quick questions:
There are several easy ways to find out. The first step is to call your child’s pediatrician. If a doctor isn’t immediately available, families can check their school district’s website, which usually lists exact requirements by grade level. State and local health department websites also provide accessible, age-based checklists.
Vaccination isn’t just about individual health – it’s also about protecting our community and our families. High vaccination rates within a school prevent outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles or whooping cough. This creates a protective shield around vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated—including infants, elderly grandparents, or classmates with compromised immune systems. It also minimizes sick days, keeping students in the classroom and parents at work.
Leaders can bridge the gap by meeting families where they are.
Check your immunization record. Families can get records from their pediatrician or check their state’s immunization registry. Simply knowing where the record is located—and seeing the date of the last vaccination—is the first step to get ready for the school year.