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Add Immunizations to Your Back to School Checklist

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Did you know children must receive certain immunizations before they can attend school? With classes just around the corner, don’t forget to add vaccinations to your child’s back to school checklist.

“In North Carolina, students are required to receive certain vaccines to attend school,” said JoAnn Douglas, Wake County’s Immunization Tracking Team supervisor. “It’s important for parents to check their children’s immunization records and schedule any necessary appointments now to ensure their students can begin the school year on time.”

North Carolina requires children to receive the following vaccines before they begin kindergarten:

  • DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis);
  • HBV (hepatitis B);
  • Hib (haemophilus B);
  • IPV (inactivated polio vaccine);
  • PCV13 (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine);
  • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella); and
  • Var (chickenpox).

Students must receive the following immunizations before they enter 7th grade:

  • Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap); and
  • Meningococcal (meningitis).

Be sure to check with your child’s doctor to make sure he or she is up to date on all vaccines.

If your child does not have a doctor, Wake County Human Services can help. Public health clinics offer all required vaccines at several convenient locations:

When making an appointment, ask about vaccine charges and eligibility for special, lower cost programs.

Visit wakegov.com and search “immunization” to learn more.