It’s almost back to school time, so let’s talk about your child and vaccines!
Routine vaccinations are a great tool to keep kids healthy, in school, and ready to learn.
What should I do if my child is behind on their vaccination schedule?
There’s no reason to worry! There are recommendations to help get your child up-to-date with their immunizations. Each vaccine has its own guidelines, so talk with your child’s healthcare provider to get them back on schedule.
Does my child really need catch-up vaccines?
Yes, and don’t delay!
If you have questions, please reach out to your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can talk with you about specific vaccine questions and vaccines that may have been missed, and discuss catching up on your child’s vaccination schedule.
What if I need help paying for my child’s back-to-school vaccines?
Your child may be eligible for free vaccines. CDC’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) program helps provide free vaccines to children who qualify. Click here for more information about Missouri’s VFC program, including where to find your nearest VFC provider.
Here are some ways that can help school-aged children get back on track and stay up-to-date with their vaccinations:
- Remind families about kindergarten, middle, and high school vaccination recommendations and requirements. Summer is the perfect time to send reminders to families whose kids or teens do not have documentation of required school vaccinations to help families make a plan to get their students fully immunized and protected.
- Provide vaccine information, stress the importance of vaccination, and give information on vaccine requirements for school entry to parents and guardians in back-to-school communications and events.
- Display or share trusted back-to-school vaccination communication materials, like flyers and social media posts, via schools, school websites, and social media channels, and throughout your community to promote the importance of vaccines for our school-aged students.
- Promote up-to-date immunization as part of September Attendance Awareness Month. Vaccines help keep students safe and healthy, which means more days at school learning!
- Use every healthcare visit – including well-child checks, sports physicals, and other appointments – as an opportunity to discuss all recommended vaccines that are due or might have been missed and get students vaccinated at the same appointment. It is important to strengthen awareness about all ACIP-recommended childhood vaccines, including those that are not required for school entry, such as the benefits of flu, COVID-19, and HPV vaccination.
- Check out the available toolkit from the Missouri Immunization Coalition or visit CDC’s Let’s RISE webpage for immunization catch-up tools and resources.
Help share the facts.
Boosting childhood vaccination rates will require efforts from healthcare systems, healthcare providers, schools, state and local governments, and families and communities to share the facts about the importance of routine vaccines to keep our students healthy, protected, and at school ready to learn!
Together, we can get routine immunizations back on track by working to reduce barriers, increase access, and strengthen vaccine confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for some people. There are 3 flu vaccines that are recommended for people 65 years and older. These are Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine or Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine. On June 22, 2022, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted unanimously to preferentially recommend these vaccines over standard-dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines. This recommendation was based on a review of available studies which suggests that, in this age group, these vaccines are potentially more effective than standard dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines. There is no preferential recommendation for people younger than 65 years.
Yes, HPV vaccination is very safe. Like any medication, vaccines can cause side effects, including pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given. That’s normal for the HPV vaccine, too, and should go away in a day or two. Sometimes kids faint after they get shots, and they could be injured if they fall from fainting. Your child will stay seated after the shot to help protect him/her.
There is no evidence available to suggest that getting HPV vaccine will have an effect on future fertility. However, women who develop an HPV precancer or cancer could require treatment that would limit their ability to have children.
It’s best to be vaccinated before flu begins spreading in your community. September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated against flu. Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October. However, even if you are not able to get vaccinated until November or later, vaccination is still recommended because flu most commonly peaks in February and significant activity can continue into May.
Additional considerations concerning the timing of vaccination for certain groups include:
- Adults, especially those 65 years and older, should generally not get vaccinated early (in July or August) because protection may decrease over time, but early vaccination can be considered for any person who is unable to return at a later time to be vaccinated.
- Some children need two doses of flu vaccine. For those children it is recommended to get the first dose as soon as vaccine is available, because the second dose needs to be given at least four weeks after the first. Vaccination during July and August also can be considered for children who need only one dose. Early vaccination can also be considered for people who are in the third trimester of pregnancy, because this can help protect their infants during the first months of life (when they are too young to be vaccinated).
Yes. You can get a flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines. For example, you can get a flu vaccine and an updated COVID-19 vaccine at the same time if you are due for both vaccines. Ask your provider if you are due for any other vaccines during your visit. Your provider will check your medical history to make sure you are up-to-date on all required vaccines and fully protected.
For more information about Concurrent Administration of Influenza Vaccine with Other Vaccines, click here.
You should get a flu shot even if you already had the flu. Getting a flu vaccine after you recover from being sick provides stronger, longer-lasting protection against the virus that causes flu.
The virus that causes flu is constantly changing, so each year a new flu vaccine is made to protect against the flu virus that is currently spreading.
If you are feeling sick, you should talk to your doctor about your symptoms before getting any vaccine.
People usually experience mild side effects after getting a vaccine. Some side effects that may occur from a flu shot include soreness, redness and/or swelling where the shot was given, headache, fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue. Side effects are common and typically go away within a few days. Even if you don’t experience side effects, your body is still building protection against the virus that causes flu.
Adults and children may experience some side effects from a flu vaccine, including pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, fever, or nausea. These side effects are a normal part of your body developing protection against the virus that causes flu. Serious side effects are extremely rare.
Yes. Flu vaccination during pregnancy helps protect pregnant people from flu during and after pregnancy and helps protect their infants from flu in their first few months of life.
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- A 2013 study showed that during the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 flu seasons vaccination reduced the risk of flu-associated acute respiratory infection in pregnant people by about one-half.
- A 2018 study showed that getting a flu shot reduced a pregnant person’s risk of being hospitalized with flu by an average of 40% from 2010-2016.
- Several studies have shown that in addition to helping to protect pregnant people from flu, a flu vaccine given during pregnancy helps protect the baby from flu for several months after birth, when babies are too young to be vaccinated.
Studies tell us that getting HPV vaccine doesn’t make kids more likely to start having sex. All children (Girls and Boys) ages 11-12 years should get the HPV vaccine to protect against cancers caused by HPV infections. Talk to your child’s doctor TODAY!
HPV vaccine does not cause fertility problems (problems trying to get pregnant) in women or men. People who develop a cancer caused by HPV will need treatment that can sometimes limit their ability to have children, such as a hysterectomy (for women), chemotherapy, or radiation.
So, it is best to get HPV vaccine starting at 9 years old before your child is at increased risk for exposure to HPV. HPV vaccine prevents HPV infections that cause certain cancers if given before someone is exposed to HPV. So, talk to a healthcare provider about the benefits of getting an HPV vaccine if you or your child are not fully vaccinated already.
Yes, HPV vaccination is very safe. Over 15 years of monitoring and research during the vaccination program have continued to show that HPV vaccination is safe. More than 135 million doses of HPV vaccines have been distributed since they were licensed. Data continue to show the vaccines are safe and effective. Infections and cancers caused by HPV have dropped since 2006, when HPV vaccines were first used in the United States.
Preventing cancer with the HPV vaccine is much safer than risking getting an infection that could cause long-term health problems, hospitalizations, or in severe cases, cancer and death. Protect your child from HPV-related cancers later in life by getting them an HPV vaccine starting at age 9-12 years.
Studies show that the HPV vaccine does not lead to people having more sex or sex at a younger age. So, giving kids the HPV vaccine doesn’t encourage them to have sex. All it does is help protect them from anogenital warts and HPV-related cancers in adulthood.
HPV is a very common infection in women and men. Nearly everyone (85%) will get HPV at some point in their lives. Starting the vaccination series today when your child is between 9-12 years old, will help protect them from the cancers and diseases caused by HPV later in their lives.
Some HPV infections can cause cancer—like cancer of the cervix, vagina, and vulva in women, penis in men, anus in both women and men, and back of the throat (called oropharyngeal cancer), including the base of the tongue and tonsils, in both men and women—but HPV vaccine could prevent more than 90% of these cancers from ever developing. The HPV vaccine (Gardasil-9) protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cancer, and anogenital warts.
The HPV vaccine is part of the routine childhood vaccines schedule. The HPV vaccine is one of many routine childhood vaccinations that are recommended to keep your child safe and protected. Vaccination requirements for school entry vary by state, and don’t always reflect the most current medical recommendations for protecting your child’s health. Check your state’s vaccine requirements or talk to a local healthcare provider today about getting an HPV vaccine.
HPV vaccination can help prevent future infections that can lead to cancers of the penis, anus, and back of the throat in men.
Vaccines protect your child before they are exposed to a disease. That’s why we give the HPV vaccine earlier rather than later, to protect them long before they are ever exposed to HPV. Once someone is infected with HPV, the vaccine might not be as effective or might not work at all. If given before someone is infected, the vaccine can prevent most cases of cancer and anogenital warts caused by HPV. Also, response to the vaccine has proven to be better at younger ages than older ones. If your child gets the shot now (before they turn 15), they will only need two doses. If you wait until your child is older, they may end up needing three shots.
Studies continue to prove the HPV vaccine works extremely well, decreasing the number of HPV infections and precancers since it has been available. The HPV vaccine protects against anogenital warts and cancers caused by HPV. It protects against cancer of the vagina, vulva, penis, anus, mouth, throat, head, and neck caused by HPV. When given at the recommended ages, the HPV vaccine can prevent over 90% of these cancers from ever developing. This is an estimated 33,700 cases in the United States every year.
The best way to protect your child from developing cancers caused by HPV later in life is by getting them an HPV vaccine starting at age 9-12 years.
HPV infections are so common, nearly everyone will get HPV at some point in their life. Most HPV infections go away on their own without lasting health problems. However, there is no way to know which infections will turn into cancer. That is why it is important for your child to get vaccinated against HPV.
Yes, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same time if you are eligible and the timing coincides.
Even though both vaccines can be given at the same visit, people should follow the recommended schedule for either vaccine: If you haven’t gotten your currently recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine, get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can, and ideally get a flu vaccine by the end of October.
Without vaccines, your child is at risk of getting diseases that can cause severe illness, disability, and even death. Diseases such as measles and whooping cough are vaccine-preventable but can be deadly in an unvaccinated child. Vaccines can keep you, your child, and your family safe from vaccine-preventable illnesses.
Risks associated with vaccination are side effects, which are nearly always mild and can include redness and swelling at the injection site. These side effects almost always go away within a few days. Serious side effects after vaccination, such as an allergic reaction, are rare.
Children and teens can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other routinely recommended vaccines at the same visit. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and recommended for children as young as six months.
Yes, your child needs all the recommended doses of each vaccine. These doses provide your child with the best defense possible. Some vaccines need more than one dose to build enough immunity to prevent disease or to boost immunity that may become less effective over time. Some viruses, such as the flu, change over time so new doses are needed annually. Every dose is important because each protects against diseases that can be serious for unvaccinated infants, children, and teens.
Vaccines contain ingredients that cause the body to develop immunity. Vaccines also contain small amounts of other ingredients. All ingredients play necessary roles either in making the vaccine or in ensuring that the final product is safe and effective.
Young children can be exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases from a number of places prior to starting school. Children under five are at particular risk of catching these diseases because their immune systems have not built up the necessary protection to fight infection. Be safe and vaccinate your children against vaccine-preventable diseases before they start school.
Vaccines are recommended throughout our lifetime to keep us safe from serious diseases. As protection from childhood vaccines wears off, adolescents need vaccines that will extend vaccine protection. Adolescents also need protection from other infections before the risk of exposure increases.
Yes, you can still add protection by getting vaccinated after having been infected with COVID-19. Children can get vaccinated for COVID-19 as soon as their symptoms have resolved, or if they were asymptomatic, they can get vaccinated when their isolation has ended.
As college-aged adults, your exposures may change. Vaccinations like Hepatitis A, Meningococcus B, Pneumococcal, and HPV are appropriate for this exciting new chapter in your life. Some of these vaccines, such as HPV, are able to be given to pre-teens and older, and may not be necessary if they have already been received. Meningococcus B vaccine may be given as young as 16, so this also may not be needed if it has already been administered. Speak to your health care provider to make sure that you are up-to-date on all of your vaccines so that you are prepared to begin this new chapter of your life safe from vaccine-preventable severe diseases
It’s best to be vaccinated before flu begins spreading in your community. September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated against flu. Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October. However, even if you are not able to get vaccinated until November or later, vaccination is still recommended because flu most commonly peaks in February and significant activity can continue into May.
Additional considerations concerning the timing of vaccination for certain groups include:
- Adults, especially those 65 years and older, should generally not get vaccinated early (in July or August) because protection may decrease over time, but early vaccination can be considered for any person who is unable to return at a later time to be vaccinated.
- Some children need two doses of flu vaccine. For those children it is recommended to get the first dose as soon as vaccine is available, because the second dose needs to be given at least four weeks after the first. Vaccination during July and August also can be considered for children who need only one dose. Early vaccination can also be considered for people who are in the third trimester of pregnancy, because this can help protect their infants during the first months of life (when they are too young to be vaccinated).
Vaccines are very safe and recommended! Currently, the United States has the safest vaccine supply in its history. The United States has a vaccine safety system that ensures vaccines are as safe as possible. Millions of children safely receive vaccines each year. The most common side effects are typically very mild, such as pain or swelling at the injection site.
Yes, you can get a flu vaccine at the same time you get a COVID-19 vaccine, including a COVID-19 booster shot.
Yes, children who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination can get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same visit.
If your child is eligible, get them up to date on their recommended COVID-19 vaccine and annual flu vaccine as soon as possible. You can get both vaccines at the same time, but don’t delay either vaccination in order to get them both at the same visit. Both vaccines are recommended, and your child should get the recommended doses for each vaccine.
All children 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. Most children will only need one dose of flu vaccine. Your child’s healthcare provider can tell you if your child needs two doses of flu vaccine.
HPV vaccine is important because it prevents infections that can cause cancer. That’s why you should talk to your child’s doctor and start the shot series today. HPV vaccine is cancer prevention!
Studies continue to prove HPV vaccination works extremely well, decreasing the number of infections and HPV precancers in young people since it has been available.
Vaccines protect your child before they are exposed to a disease. That’s why we give the HPV vaccine earlier rather than later, to protect them long before they are ever exposed. Also, if your child gets the shot now, they will only need two doses. If you wait until your child is older, they may end up needing three shots.
HPV vaccination can help prevent future infections that can lead to cancers of the penis, anus, and back of the throat in men.
The HPV vaccine is strongly recommended by experts at the CDC and major medical organizations. School entry requirements are developed for public health and safety but don’t always reflect the most current medical recommendations for your child’s health.
Some HPV infections can cause cancer—like cancer of the cervix or in the back of the throat—but you can protect your child from these
cancers in the future by getting them their first HPV shot today.
HPV is a very common infection in women and men that can cause cancer. Starting the vaccine series today will help protect your child from the cancers and diseases caused by HPV.
Other Helpful Resources:
- 2023-2023 Missouri Immunization Requirements
- Immunization Schedules – CDC
- Common Questions About Vaccines – CDC
- HPV Vaccine – CDC
- Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and Teens – CDC
- Hepatitis B Vaccination – CDC
- Recommended Vaccines by Disease – CDC
- Ways Schools Can Support Routine Vaccination Catch-Up Among School-Aged Children: A TOOLKIT FOR EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS
- Hepatitis B Fast Facts