Which Vaccines Students Should Receive Before Returning to School
Dr. Angela Seabright
| 3 min read
Dr. Angela Seabright, D.O., is a board-certified fam...
Dr. Angela Seabright, D.O., is a care management physician at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
The end of summer means more than 58 million American kids and teens are heading back to school, to classrooms and extracurriculars. It’s time for parents to think about annual physicals and vaccinations to ensure their children are healthy and prepared for the upcoming school year.
The regular vaccine schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reduces the spread of disease and annually prevents tens of millions of cases of dangerous diseases such as measles, mumps, polio and rubella.
What should you expect at back-to-school well-child visits?
A wellness checkup is an important step in ensuring the health and well-being of the child by identifying and addressing any health concerns and preventing disease with immunizations. The well-visit is also an opportunity for parents and caregivers to ask questions and learn more about their child’s physical health and social emotional development.
Such visits include:
- Obtaining a thorough history and physical exam with vital signs such as blood pressure
- Tracking growth and developmental milestones
- Screening tests such as labs and hearing and vision tests depending on the age of the child and risk factors
- Discussing diet and exercise
- Updating vaccinations
For teenagers, the appointments may also include:
- Addressing potential substance use, such as drinking, smoking and drugs
- Discussing sexual activity and safe practices
- Screening for depression, anxiety and mental health concerns
Well-child visits build a child’s medical history and trust with their care team, an important part of monitoring their health over the course of their lives.
Which vaccinations are Michigan students required to have?
From kindergarten through high school, the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services requires Michigan students are required to have a minimum of six vaccinations to prevent the spread of disease.
Michigan students are required to have the following vaccinations:
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP, DTaP)
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcal Conjugate
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
These requirements are the minimum standard for preventing disease outbreaks in the school or daycare setting. Following the full, recommended vaccination schedule is the best way to protect children from serious disease. High rates of vaccinations, however, are essential for the health and safety of Michiganders.
What are the benefits of scheduling dual appointments for sports physicals and vaccinations?
If a child or teen plays sports, the Michigan High School Athletic Association requires all athletes to undergo a physical examination prior to starting practice. A sports physical involves checking heart health, bone and joint health, conditions such as asthma and anemia, and a wide range of physical and mental health concerns.
Sports physicals and annual physicals include many of the same examinations. While sports physicals do not include immunizations, parents can save time during the busy summer months by scheduling one appointment for both. Timing the general checkup for late summer helps ensure children are healthy for their return to school.
The AAP encourages children to receive a sports physical at the same time as their annual checkup whether they plan to play sports or not to address diet, exercise, and attitudes toward physical activity.
These appointments can also help teenagers engage in their own care and learn their own medical history as they prepare for adulthood.
Dr. Angela Seabright is a care management physician at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. For more health advice and tips, visit MIBluesPerspectives.com.
Image: Getty Images
