Back-to-school season is almost here. Your kids are headed back to school or starting school for the first time. Along with preparing them with school supplies, it is also vital to prepare them with immunizations. These shots make for a safe and healthy school place. For students of all ages. These vaccines protect students from harmful diseases. Along with adding to the overall health of the whole school. This is done by preventing the spread of illnesses by getting these shots. In this blog, you will take a look at the significance of each vaccine. Along with which are required for school attendance as noted by the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As well as why they are essential, according to Stanford Medicine. 

1. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): The MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine. This vaccine protects against three contagious diseases. These diseases are measles, mumps, and rubella. All three of these can lead to serious issues. Which include pneumonia, encephalitis, deafness, and death. Make sure that your child gets the MMR vaccine before returning to school. That way you can help prevent outbreaks. 
2. Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap): The DTaP vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). Diphtheria can cause issues with breathing, paralysis, and death. While tetanus can lead to muscle spasms, lockjaw, and respiratory failure. Whooping cough spreads very easily. It can be severe in infants and young children. Make sure that your child is up-to-date on their DTaP/Tdap shots. That way you can prevent the spread of these dangerous diseases within schools.
3. Polio Vaccine: Polio is a viral disease. It can cause paralysis and death in severe cases. Luckily the polio shot is given widely. Due to this polio is rarely seen now. Which is why it is key to keep high vaccination rates.      This is done to prevent polio from coming back into society. 
4. Varicella Vaccine: The varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox. This is a viral infection that spreads quickly and easily. It causes itchy skin lesions. Chickenpox is typically noted as a mild illness. Although, it can still lead to issues. These issues can be bacterial infections, pneumonia, and encephalitis. 
5. Hepatitis B Vaccine: Hepatitis B is a liver infection. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Chronic hepatitis B can lead to many issues. These can be things issues like liver damage, liver cancer, and death.  

Along with these vaccines, other states or school districts may require other or more vaccines. These can be a wide variety of shots. They can range from meningococcal vaccine. This is given to protect against meningitis. As well as the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Which is given to prevent HPV-related cancers. It's key for you to know your state's immunization requirements. Along with making sure that your children are up-to-date on all recommended vaccines. Doing this before the start of the school year will help to avoid any administrative issues with your child starting school. Along with making sure they are healthy and ready to learn!

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These shots play a critical role in keeping students, teachers, and staff members safe and healthy. Do your part by getting your child vaccinated. With higher vaccination rates, you can create a safer and healthier place for learning. To make sure that your child is up to date with all of their shots. Visit Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc Pediatric Care department. Clinicas Pediatric Care providers are ready to guide you through all of these vaccinations. Do not hesitate to make an appointment today! Let Clinicas help keep your kids healthy. Give them the tools to be healthy so that sickness does not hold them back.