By: Dr. Azizeh Salloum and Salita DeMary
With summer quickly drawing to a close, preparations for the 2024-2025 school year are getting underway. As children excitedly pick out their new backpacks, lunch bags, notebooks, and pens it is important to plan ahead for their required physicals and immunizations to ensure a smooth start to the school year.
“Time often catches up to many parents and they wind up in a bind” said Dr. Azizeh Salloum, Chief Medical Officer of CompleteCare Health Network, “While every child needs a check-up annually, there are specific required vaccinations for 4 year old and 11 year old children to begin kindergarten and middle school. Parents prepare to send their children to school and they cannot begin without the required immunizations and their pediatricians tend to be booked up. That can delay their child beginning their school year on time with their classmates.”
Time often catches up to many parents and they wind up in a bind.
To prepare your kindergarten and middle school-aged children to start the school year, here is the full list of vaccinations your child should have for school:
Kindergarten through 1st Grade:
- DTaP (Diphtheria,Tetanus, acellularPertussis) – A total of 4 doses with one of these doses on or after the 4th birthday OR any 5 doses
- Polio Inactivated PolioVaccine (IPV) – A total of 3 doses with one of these doses given on or after the 4th birthday OR any 4 doses.
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – 2 doses
- Varicella (Chickenpox) – 1 dose
- Hepatitis B – 3 doses
- Meningococcal Tdap – No minimum dosage
- Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) – No minimum dosage
6th Grade and Over:
- DTaP (Diphtheria,Tetanus, acellularPertussis) – 3 doses
- Polio Inactivated PolioVaccine (IPV) – 3 doses
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – 2 doses
- Varicella (Chickenpox) – 1 dose
- Hepatitis B – 3 doses
- Meningococcal Tdap – 1 dose required for children born on or after 1/1/97 given no earlier than ten years of age\
- Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) – 1 dose
required for children born on or after 1/1/97
Here are some tips to ensure your child does not delay their start to the school year due to missed immunization or physical requirements:
- Book your pediatrician appointments early: Scheduling your appointments with your child’s pediatrician in advance will ensure you beat the rush of parents scheduling last-minute appointments for their child prior to the start of the school year.
- Keep an accurate record of your child’s immunizations: Request paper and/or digital copies of your child’s records, examinations, vaccinations, and physicals. With this information readily at hand you will know when, where, and with what pediatrician your child has received their medical care, making submitting their medical information to their school a breeze.
- Keep a digital copy: Scan and store your child’s records online via a scanner or mobile device to insure that your child’s medical records are stored away safely should a physical copy of their documents be damaged or left at home.
- Do your research: Do not be caught unaware, speak with your child’s school and/or visit the state of New Jersey’s Department of Health website at https://www.nj.gov/health/vaccines/nj-immunization-requirements/ to learn more about which vaccinations are necessary for your child to attend school.
CompleteCare Health Network understands the hectic nature of back-to-school season and the importance of ensuring that children start school healthy and safe. With our RiteCare clinic available at 1255 West Landis Ave in Vineland, NJ along with our other convenient locations in Cumberland, Cape May, and Gloucester Counties, we are ready and able to assist with your child’s immunization and pediatric needs. “It takes a lot of work and planning,” said Dr. Salloum, “but nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our children.
For more information on school physicals or to book an appointment with a CompleteCare Health Network pediatrician, please visit our website at www.completecarenj.org or call (856) 451-7000.