Don't Forget Immunizations On Your Back-To-School List

Last updated on Tuesday, August 7, 2018

(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is reminding parents that immunizations are an essential part of getting ready to go back to school.

"It's important to make sure your child's vaccinations are up to date, not only to prevent disease now, but to ensure good health into the future," said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, MD, FACOG.

School immunization requirements have changed for the 2018-19 school year. Two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine are now required for grades K-4, 6 and 12. Two doses are recommended for all other grades.

In addition to the new requirements, ISDH also encourages parents make sure that their child is current with all recommended vaccines, including:

An annual influenza vaccine
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
Two doses of the meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccine for students entering grade 12. Some Indiana universities require this vaccine for incoming students.

A complete list of Indiana school immunization requirements is available at www.state.in.us/isdh/17094.htm. The requirements and recommendations align with the routine vaccination schedules from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

ISDH encourages parents to talk with their doctors about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is available to both boys and girls. The HPV vaccine has been proven to greatly reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including cervical cancer. The vaccine is recommended for all boys and girls ages 11 to 12 but can be administered as early as 9 and as late as age 26 for those who have not been previously vaccinated. The vaccine is administered in a two- or three-dose series, depending on the age at which the first dose is given. For more information on HPV and the vaccine, visit the ISDH website at www.in.gov/isdh/25465.htm.

Hoosiers can access their immunization records through MyVaxIndiana, a user-friendly website that allows parents and other individuals to connect with their immunization records from any computer through the use of a personal identification number (PIN), which is available from your healthcare provider. On the secure website, users can download, print or fax records. Each record also displays the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended immunization schedule. To learn more, visit www.MyVaxIndiana.in.gov.

Visit the Indiana State Department of Health at http://www.in.gov/isdh/ or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/isdh1.

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