Get Ready for School: Review Your Family’s Immunizations
HDNW urges families to make immunizations part of the back-to-school checklist
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is encouraging parents and caregivers to review their children’s immunization records before the school year begins.
“One of the most important steps families can take before the new school year is making sure not only children, but the entire family are up to date on recommended vaccines,” says Dr. Josh Meyerson, HDNW Medical Director. “We’ve seen an increase in measles, whooping cough, and other vaccine preventable diseases over the past couple years. Staying up to date is one of the best ways to protect your family and help keep everyone healthy throughout the school year.”
Back to School Checklist Immunization requirements vary by age, grade, and school district. Families should check with their child’s school or healthcare provider to confirm which immunizations are required or recommended. Common immunizations for school-aged children and teens include:
•DTaP/Tdap: Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)
•MMR: Protects against measles, mumps, and rubella
•Varicella: Protects against chickenpox
•Meningococcal: Protects preteens, teens, and college students from meningitis and other serious illnesses
•HPV: Protects preteens and teens from human papillomavirus and prevents HPV related cancers
•Annual Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: Recommended for everyone, six months and older
•COVID-19 Vaccine: Recommended for everyone, six months and older
A healthcare professional at HDNW can review your family’s immunization records and help determine which vaccines are needed based on age, health history, and current recommendations.
HDNW Immunization Services
HDNW offers immunization clinics each month. Immunization clinic locations vary month to month as our nurses’ travel to every office throughout our four-county service area. Clinics are offered in Charlevoix, Boyne City, Bellaire, Mancelona, Gaylord, Petoskey/Harbor Springs, and Pellston.
To schedule an appointment at an Immunization Clinic call us locally at 800-432-4121. Families who need a copy of a child’s immunization record can visit our website at nwhealth.org/childhood immunizations and complete the Request Form at the bottom of the page.
Michigan’s childhood vaccine recommendations, school requirements, and exemption processes remain unchanged, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Director, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian.
For more information on services offered by HDNW visit our website at nwhealth.org or call us locally at 800-432-4121. To stay up to date on the most relevant, local health news, consider subscribing to our monthly newsletter here.
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