Don’t forget the vaccines

 

SPARTANBURG COUNTY—The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control released a statement on July 29, reminding parents to update children on necessary vaccines.

South Carolina children enrolled in childcare, pre-k through 12th grade must be up to date on required vaccines for their grade level before the school year starts, warns SCDHEC.

Dr. Teresa Foo, a DHEC Immunization Division medical consultant said in the release, “Unfortunately, vaccine-preventable diseases, such as chicken pox, whooping cough, mumps and measles still affect many children in South Carolina. Up-to-date vaccinations are the best protection for our children against these diseases.”

Children of all ages need vaccines, DHEC states. Preteens between the ages of 11 and 12 are recommended to get Tdap, HPV, and meningitis vaccines. A Tdap booster is required for all students before beginning the 7th grade.

With the recent Hepatitis A outbreak in both North and South Carolina that caused a joint health task force across the states, children in childcare services and 5K will be required to get a Hep A vaccine starting next year, for the 2020-2021 school year. 

The SCDHEC recommends that all parents ask their family doctor what vaccines their children need before starting the school year. 

A complete list of necessary vaccination can be found at the SCDHEC website at, www.scdhec.gov/health/vaccinations/childcare-school-vaccine-requirements. 

By Samuel Robinson

Sam.robinson@tryondailybulletin.com