By Morgan Montalvo
WOAI News
A new school year is a good time to review students’ vaccine records, an Austin pediatrician tells News Radio 1200 WOAI.
Children can be exposed to a large variety of germs and other contagions at school, says Dr. Kimberly Avila Edwards. Texas public and most other schools require current Immunization records as a condition of enrollment.
With few exceptions, Texas children must be immunized in order to attend school. Parents can cite religious or other “moral” objections for non-compliance, and there also are medical reasons for not immunizing children, such as rare systemic conditions.
Edwards says child immunization cycles begin at birth, with the first round usually completed by age four.
Additional shots usually are administered around ages 12 and 16.
The complete cycle is composed of a dozen inoculations that protect against 16 diseases and illnesses.
Edwards says parents who don’t adhere to the recommended immunization schedule place their children at risk for a number of serious and life-threatening conditions.
Students entering college should also review their immunizations records prior to enrolling, because post-secondary institutions require vaccination compliance.
The Texas Medical Association publishes the following immunization guidelines: Entering Kindergarten and 6th Grade
Required--Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Polio Pneumococcal Measles-Mumps-Rubella Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Varicella (chicken pox)·
Recommended--Flu (yearly, starting at 6 months)
7th-12th Grade ·
Required--Meningococcal Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) ·
Recommended--Human papillomavirus (HPV)Flu
College--Required--Meningococcal (for admission to college) · Recommended--HPVFlu