Back to School, But Are You Vaccinated?

Get your shots, folks!

As we gear up for the new school year, it's time to talk about vaccinations. Most schools are starting next week, except for those lucky kids in Austin who get an extra week of summer, and the unfortunate kids in Del Valle who are already back in class.

The Lowdown on Vaccines:

• The CDC has recommended updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines for everyone 6 months and older this fall. Get your shots to avoid complications, folks!
• Expect this season's flu vaccines by late August/early September, and the new COVID-19 booster by mid-to-late September.
• The ideal time to get vaxxed is before Halloween, so your body has time to build those protective antibodies before the winter surge.
• Texas currently has high levels of COVID-19 in wastewater, so don't delay those boosters!

What Shots Do Kids Need for School?

• When enrolling your kid in a new public school, you'll need their vaccine record.
• Vaccines are checked at kindergarten and 7th grade.
• No vaccines, no school, unless there's an exemption. Catch-up schedules exist for unvaccinated kids.
• The Texas Department of State Health Services has a worksheet with required vaccines: by kindergarten and 7th grade, your kid needs to be vaxxed for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A & B, and varicella.
• 8th grade and beyond: add a booster for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
• Recommended but not required: HPV vaccine from age 9, annual flu and COVID shots, and additional meningitis doses.

Accessing Vaccines:

• Your primary care doctor should have vaccines, or try local pharmacies for ages 3+.
• Austin Public Health offers reduced-cost/free vaccines for uninsured/underinsured folks.
• They'll also be at the Back to School Basics event on Sunday, offering vaccines, so head over there!

Exemptions:

• Medical exemptions are rare and usually due to cancer/immunosuppressant treatments.
• "Reasons of Conscience" exemptions are for religious/personal values. But remember, during outbreaks, unvaccinated kids may be excluded from school.
• Let's keep our kids safe and healthy! Vaccines prevent diseases like measles, mumps, and polio, which can have devastating lifelong effects.
• Low vaccination rates put our kids at risk. Recently, there have been polio cases in NY and measles in TX.
• So, get your kids vaxxed, and let's keep our schools safe!