Back to school vaccination checklist

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - It's that time of year: the kids are heading back to school. But books and backpacks aren't the only items you'll need to remember as you prepare to send young students back to the classroom.

The Chair of Pediatrics at Baystate Children's Hospital is a firm believer that vaccinations ought to be on every child's back-to-school checklist.

“We have the ability now to be able to prevent disease that was previously fatal, with a single needle,” said Dr. Lindsey Grossman, who also explained that accessibility is never an excuse for skipping shots.

“The federal government provides vaccine for anyone whose insurance doesn't cover it and can't afford. It's available at free clinics, local health departments, and virtually any pediatrician's office.”

Grossman highly recommends parents take advantage of elective shots like flu shots and HPV vaccine. Massachusetts law requires kids to be up-to-date on their mandatory immunizations to start school. Those include:

Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for entry to:

-Kindergarten

-7th & 8th grade

-College freshman & sophomore year

-Health science school

Those are the same times you'll need to get two doses of chicken pox vaccine and the T-DAP vaccine for tetanus, diptheria and pertussis, with a booster dose at age 11 or 12.

Dr. Grossman recommends you save records as you go to help you keep track of vaccinations into adulthood.

Try to avoid the last minute rush by booking appointments now.