Wednesday, September 20, 2023

What Vaccines Do Children Need For School

Who Can Receive The Vaccine

What Vaccines Might My Child Need Before Starting School?
  • Everyone born in 2009 or earlier is currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
    • The Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccines require two doses. All residents are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as they can, and to receive their second dose as soon as they are eligible to ensure maximum protection against COVID-19.
  • The earliest date that you can receive your second dose is:
  • 28 days after your first dose if you received either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna vaccine.
  • 8-12 weeks after your first dose if you received the AstraZeneca vaccine.

What Is The Immune System

The immune system is a special network in the body that protects you from germs, like bacteria and viruses that cause diseases. Through a series of steps called the immune response, the immune system learns how to recognize germs in order to fight them if your child is exposed to them in the future.

Your child is exposed to thousands of germs daily at home, at daycare or in the grocery store. Even a sweet kiss from a brother or sister can be full of germs. Most of these germs are harmless and are easily handled by your child’s immune system. But some germs can make your child very sick.

Thanks to vaccination, your child’s immune system learns how to recognize harmful germs. Vaccines help your child to develop the necessary defences to fight disease, and to stay healthy!

Order a print copy in:

Type: Guide

Immunisations For Young People

  • the tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccine
  • time to check the young person has had 2 doses of MMR
  • HPV vaccine for boys and girls
  • MenACWY vaccination, signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia
  • the routine and selective immunisation schedule from January 2020

Copies can be ordered using product code 2902598P

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Are There Any Reasons Not To Vaccinate My Child Especially During The Covid

Yes. There are times when some children should not get certain vaccines or they should wait. For example, if your child has any severe, life-threatening allergies, theyve had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of vaccines, or theyre moderately or severely ill, their doctor may recommend not getting or delaying a specific vaccination.

When it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, you dont need to delay the immunizations or care your child needs unless of course you, your child or someone in your household is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

While staying on track with all immunizations is important, making sure your child has their annual flu shot will be especially important this year. As the pandemic continues, so too will the high amounts of time we spend at home and indoors where flu viruses can thrive during cold and dry winter weather. Flu shots are typically available starting in late August, and this year HealthPartners and Park Nicollet is offering both shot and FluMist options.

Staying Up To Date Protects Yourself And Others

Scrutiny of vaccine exemptions banishes some from schools

The importance of vaccinating K-12 students cannot be overstated â staying up to date on vaccinations protects yourself and others. In fact, vaccine administration is estimated to prevent 4-5 million deaths per year, according to 2020 World Health Organization research.

Parents and guardians can ensure that their children comply with state- and school-mandated vaccine requirements by checking with their schools and state’s health department. Nurses advise guardians to schedule annual physicals for school-aged children in early summer so students are vaccinated in time for the school year.

“Vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent the spread of serious diseases,” says Wilhelm. “Your child may need vaccines that protect against deadly diseases as they return to the classroom.”

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Why Children Are Vaccinated At Such A Young Age

Children are vaccinated at a very young age because this is when they are most vulnerable to diseases. At this point their immune system is not developed enough to be able to fight serious infections.

The vaccination schedule is based on infants’ ability to create an immune response. Vaccines are given to protect them against 14 serious diseases at a time when they are most at risk.

Medical experts do not advise delaying or spreading out the recommended vaccines. This does not provide any added benefit to your child.

Immunization Requirements For School And Child Care Entry

State of California School Immunization Law outlines the immunizations required for children to attend school and child care. The state’s school and child care immunization requirements are not as comprehensive as the recommended vaccination schedules from the U.S. federal government Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Please encourage parents to make sure their children receive all of the CDC-recommended vaccines, in addition to the ones required for California school and child care entry.

The following steps should be taken to make sure children have all the required vaccines:

  • Obtain the childs personal immunization recordTime of registration is the best time to view records in case a child needs vaccines. Children who are not up-to-date can register, but cannot attend school or childcare until they have received the required vaccines.
  • Review the childs personal immunization recordPreferred personal immunization records include: California Immunization Records , Out-of-State records, military records, International records, and California School Immunization Records from another school or childcare center. Records must include the name of the vaccine and the date it was given. Encourage parents to have a Yellow Card and to have it filled out completely.
  • If you have questions about reviewing immunization records, the Annual Report, or the Selective Review, please contact:

    County of Santa Clara Immunization Education Program

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    What Should Be Done If A Child Becomes Unwell In School After Receiving The Vaccination

    If the SAIS provider team is still on site, seek advice directly from them. If the SAIS provider team has left the site, manage the situation according to existing policies for pupil sickness in school. Contact the SAIS provider team to ensure they are aware and can report any event related to the timing of administration of the vaccine.

    See NHS.UK for further information.

    Eligibility And Timing Of Vaccination

    School Vaccinations What you need to know about vaccines at school

    All young people aged 16 and 17 years have been offered a first dose of vaccine. Children and young people aged 12 to 17 years who are at increased risk from infection, or who are living with someone who is immunosuppressed, have also been offered 2 doses of the vaccine, 8 weeks apart.

    And now all children aged 12 to 15 years are being offered a first dose of vaccine as part of the school-based COVID-19 vaccination programme. Children who are 12 years old and over on the day the School Age Immunisation Service team visits the school, will be offered a vaccination as part of the in-school vaccination programme.

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    Registering A Vaccine Received Outside Of Canada Or Ontario

    If you have received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine outside of the Province of Ontario, you must provide your proof of immunization to Ottawa Public Health. Complete the COVID-19 Out of Province Dose Documentation form to notify Ottawa Public Health of your out of province dose administration, and upload the documentation you have received.

    Do College Students Need Vaccinations

    Teenagers and younger adults going to college or university should check with their school to see which vaccinations are required prior to enrollment.

    Meningitis is one of the most important ones, said Gracy, because you have situations where kids are in dorms and theyre in enclosed spaces.

    This life-threatening infection is more common in college-age students, but can be prevented with full vaccination.

    Older students may also need a tetanus booster or the annual flu shot. They may also need the HPV vaccine if they didnt start when they were younger or havent had all the doses.

    Most states allow parents to opt out of vaccinations for their child due to medical or religious reasons.

    The CDC tracks vaccination exemptions allowed by states.

    The American Academy of Pediatrics finds that nonmedical exemptions to school-required immunizations are inappropriate for individual, public health, and ethical reasons and advocates for their elimination.

    Gracy said that as doctors, we know that people come from different backgrounds, and have different concerns or reasons for making the choices that they do. So we really try to work with families and respect that.

    Doctors will often talk to parents to find out their reasons for opting out of having their child vaccinated. This includes making sure parents are basing their decision on

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    The Flu Shot: An Annual Immunization For Children Starting At 6 Months Old

    The flu vaccine or influenza vaccine may be the most well-known of all immunizations. Thats because its one of the longest-running vaccines in the United States, with the first of its kind being approved for widespread use in 1945.

    While influenza viruses circulate year-round, flu cases peak in the fall and winter months nearly every year. Flu shots help protect against the types of influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common that season. Thats why the CDC recommends annual flu shots for everyone by the end of October including kids 6 months and older.

    When children receive their first flu shot, the vaccine is delivered in two doses, given at least one month apart. After that first pair of doses, just one shot is needed each year.

    Reasons For Vaccine Hesitancy

    Vaccines for kids: Which vaccines and immunizations do ...

    Within each of the categories described above parents present a spectrum of compliance with vaccination, including delaying vaccinations, only refusing certain ones, or refusing immunizations completely. Religious reasons tend to account for the majority of total vaccine refusal, while parents with personal beliefs against immunization tend to be more willing to compromise and at least partially vaccinate their children. Parents are concerned with doing the best for their children, and hearing reports of potential safety issues or that childhood diseases are not a large threat can hinder them from vaccinating their children.

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    Completing Your Arrival Test

    Follow the directions you receive on arrival to complete your test:

    • if you were directed to on-site testing at the airport or border crossing, you are required to register and the on-site test providers will collect your sample
    • if you are provided with a home test kit, use the instructions in the kit to complete it within 24 hours of entering Canada, and arrange for it to be picked up

    Why Should I Vaccinate My Child At Such A Young Age

    The vaccination schedule is designed to protect your child before they are exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases. Children are vaccinated early in life because they are vulnerable to diseases and the consequences can be very serious. But if vaccinated on time, your child has the most protection as early as possible.

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    What Happens If A Child Has A Health Condition Or Is Unwell On The Day Of The Vaccination Session

    If a child is unwell on the day, the SAIS provider team will decide whether to proceed with vaccination or not.

    All questions on the suitability of the vaccine for individual children should be directed to the NHS SAIS provider team delivering the vaccinations.

    For any children who want to be vaccinated but are unable for health or other reasons to have the vaccine on the day, there will be catch-up arrangements in place that the SAIS provider team will be able to share with the school.

    School And Camp Requirements

    What back to school vaccines are required for children?

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    How Do Vaccines Work

    The dead or weakened germs in vaccines help your child’s immune system to make two important tools: antibodies and immune memory. Together, these tools will help your child recognize and fight off the germs if exposed to them in the future.

    Most children are fully protected after they are vaccinated. This means that they will never get serious vaccine-preventable diseases.

    In rare cases, children who are vaccinated can still get the disease because they only get partial protection from the vaccine. This is more common in children with a health problem that affects their immune system. They may develop mild symptoms if they are exposed to a disease, but will not suffer serious complications.

    It’s just like… seatbelts are not 100% effective at protecting you while driving, but they significantly reduce your risk of being injured.

    Providing Proof Of Your Vaccination In Arrivecan

    In ArriveCAN, up to 72 hours before your travel, you must provide:

    • the details of your first dose
    • the details of your second dose if one was required
    • a photo or PDF file of the record of each dose of your vaccination, such as receipts, cards, or confirmations:
    • if you received two doses and they are both recorded on a single card or PDF, upload that same image or file for dose 1 and again for dose 2
    • file formats accepted: PDF, PNG, JPEG or JPG
    • maximum file size for upload: each image upload has a 2 MB size limit
  • preferred file format: if you received a PDF file of your vaccination record, upload the PDF rather than an image, since the PDF is clearer and easier to read
  • these must be in English, French, or a certified translation into English or French
  • Bring your original proof of vaccination with you while you travel.

    Final determination of your vaccination status will be made at the border. You must bring a digital or paper copy of your proof of vaccination with you.

    As of August 9, fully vaccinated US citizens and permanent residents residing in and traveling from the U.S. and French citizens residing in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon can enter Canada for discretionary purposes.

    You must:

    Travelling with mixed vaccination status or citizenship

    Have the following items with you for assessment by a government official at the border:

    If you are selected for a randomized test, you:

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    Diseases Prevented By Routine Vaccinations

    Vaccinating your children protects them from many vaccine-preventable diseases.

    Nearly all these diseases can spread easily from person to person, mainly through coughing and sneezing. They can be serious enough to cause severe complications or even death. Getting your children vaccinated on time gives them the protection they need to stay healthy.

    Diseases prevented by routine vaccinations

    Diseases
    • Sore throat and thick mucous in throat and nose
    • Difficulty swallowing and breathing
    • Starts with mild cold-like symptoms
    • Violent coughing fits
    • Choking or vomiting after coughing
    • Difficulty eating, drinking, and breathing

    Adults may not have any symptoms but can still infect babies.

    • Pneumonia
    • Painful muscle cramps
    • Headache and fever
    • Seizures
    • Pneumonia
    • Broken bones
    • Nerve or brain damage
    • Paralysis of arms and legs
    • Death
    • Red rash and white spots in mouth
    • Ear infections
    • Swelling of the cheeks or neck
    • Meningitis
    • Deafness
    • Miscarriage or stillbirth
    • Birth defects in infant or miscarriage

    Varicella

    • Itchy rash becomes blisters that turn into scabs
    • Pneumonia
    • Birth defects in infant
    • Death
    • Red marks or tiny pin-size bruises on the skin
    • Meningitis
    • Brain damage
    • Amputation of hands or feet
    • Coma/Death
    • Ear aches and stuffy nose
    • Coughing and difficulty breathing
    • Loss of appetite and vomiting
    • Deafness
    • Meningitis
    • Death
    • Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
    • Ear and/or sinus infection
    • Bronchitis
    • Pneumonia
    • Jaundice / Dark Urine
    • Cirrhosis
    • Liver cancer
    • Death

    Your Arrival Test Results

    Teen Vaccines

    You can travel on to your destination. You dont need to wait for your arrival test results.

    If your arrival test is negative:

    • follow local public health measures
    • maintain a list of all close contacts for your first 14 days in Canada
    • monitor yourself for signs and symptoms
    • keep copies of your proof of vaccination for 14 days
    • Immediately contact and follow the instructions of the local public health authority where you are staying
    • Report your positive test result to the Public Health Agency of Canada by calling 1-833-641-0343
    • Keep copies of your proof of vaccination for 14 days

    You must take another test.

    • If you completed your test using a kit: another kit should be automatically couriered to you by your testing provider.
    • If you were tested on-site at the airport: contact your testing provider to find out how to complete a follow-up test
    • If you are in Alberta: you must book a retest through the Alberta Health Services Assessment Centre

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