By Regina Molaro
Sharpening pencils, buying new folders, and shopping for fall clothes – it’s almost time for back-to-school for everyone from preschoolers to college kids. That also means it is vaccination time for those who are still required to get them.
Childhood vaccination is one of the best methods of preventive care for kids. It prepares the body to fight against serious illnesses. School-required vaccines are an important part of keeping children safe and healthy and preventing outbreaks of diseases such as measles and pertussis, which can seriously disrupt the school season, explained Charlie J. Changchien, M.D., a pediatrician/hospitalist at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. A well-vaccinated population also protects children whose compromised immune systems or medical conditions make them unable to receive vaccines and vulnerable to illnesses.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many children missed their annual well-check appointments and some are still playing catch-up on vaccinations. Now is the time to visit your pediatrician or family practitioner.
Vaccination Requirements
and Recommendations
In accordance with the New Jersey Department of Health, the minimum vaccination requirements include diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (also known as DTaP); inactivated polio vaccine (IPV); MMR (measles, mumps and rubella); varicella (the chickenpox vaccine); hepatitis B; and meningococcus.
For more robust and optimal protection, additional vaccines are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). These vaccines, including pneumococcal; Haemophilus influenzae type B (the Hib vaccine); hepatitis A; rotavirus; HPV; and influenza are already included in most pediatricians’ vaccine schedules.
In addition, ACIP and AAP recommend the COVID-19 vaccine. If your child has completed the vaccine series (Pfizer or Moderna), there are no other recommendations for further boosters.
According to Changchien, updated COVID-19 vaccines against the current Omicron variant XBB and newly emerged EG.5 are being validated, pending regulatory approval, and will potentially be ready by mid-fall. Changchien recommends that parents and guardians stay abreast of new recommendations.
For a complete list of recommended vaccines and a schedule, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules.
Clarifying Vaccine
Misconceptions
In recent years, there’s certainly been a lot of discussion about vaccines. There have also been misconceptions about how vaccines work.
Changchien offered some insight. “Vaccines provide information to our immune system regarding a particular bacteria or virus, preparing the immune system to fight for us. It’s similar to how our kids go to school to learn or practice for a sport. Without vaccines, the immune system is literally fighting without any training,” he said. “In addition, vaccines work best when more people are vaccinated, acting like a protective wall or a moat against pathogens.”
Changchien reiterated that “vaccines are safe and effective. They have kept many once common serious childhood illnesses away from our kids, and as such, we rarely hear about them except for sporadic small outbreaks,”
For concerns and questions about vaccine safety, visit the CDC website at cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns.
Where to Get Vaccinated
“The best way (to get your children vaccinated) is through your kid’s primary care provider since they have all of the vaccine records,” said Changchien, but some pharmacies also offer vaccines. He recommends contacting them directly for more information.
Monmouth County Health Department’s Vaccines for Children Program is ideal for those who are underinsured or lack health insurance. Childhood immunizations are provided free to children who live in Monmouth County Health Department “member towns” and are available for children ages birth to 18 years. Call the Monmouth County Health Department, Children’s Immunization Clinic, located at 50 East Main St. in Freehold at 732-431-7456 or visit visitmonmouth.com and click on the Departments tab, then choose Health Department.
The article originally appeared in the August 17 – 23, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
