Back-to-School Season Is Here, Are Your Child’s Vaccines Up to Date?

A message from Kids 1st Pediatrics

Back-to-school season comes with to-do lists, school supply runs, and new schedules — but one thing that often slips through the cracks is checking your child’s immunization record. Whether your child is starting preschool, kindergarten, or entering a new grade, schools require up-to-date vaccinations to protect the health of all students and staff.

At Kids 1st Pediatrics, we help families feel fully prepared and confident about their child’s health. Here’s everything you need to know to get your child ready for a healthy start to the school year.

What vaccines does your child need?

Before students can attend school, they must have received certain immunizations. These typically include protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP), polio (IPV), measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), chickenpox (Varicella), hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).

The required doses depend on your child’s age and grade level. Children entering transitional kindergarten (TK) or kindergarten are expected to have completed their primary vaccine series by the time school begins. Students entering seventh grade also need to receive a Tdap booster and two doses of the Varicella vaccine.

Our pediatric team stays current with all immunization schedules and guidelines, so you don’t have to worry about missing anything.

How do you check your child’s immunization record?

You can request your child’s immunization record from your current or previous pediatrician. At Kids 1st Pediatrics, we offer both digital and printed copies for your convenience, and we’ll review the information with you to ensure everything meets school requirements.

If you’re unsure whether your child is due for any vaccines, we’re happy to go over the schedule and guide you through the next steps — so there are no surprises at registration.

What if your child is missing a vaccine?

No need to stress — Kids 1st Pediatrics has you covered. We offer catch-up vaccination plans designed to help your child get back on track safely and quickly. Same-day and weekend appointments are available, and we use gentle, up-to-date medical techniques to ensure every visit is as comfortable as possible.

If you’ve recently moved or are switching pediatricians, we can also help transfer and organize your child’s previous health records to make the transition smooth.

Are exemptions allowed for school vaccinations?

In many regions, vaccine exemptions are only allowed for medical reasons. Personal belief and religious exemptions have been removed in several states. Medical exemptions must be issued by a licensed physician and submitted through the appropriate immunization registry.

At Kids 1st Pediatrics, we follow all state and school health guidelines, and we’re here to answer your questions with compassion, honesty, and medical integrity.

Get school-ready with Kids 1st Pediatrics

At Kids 1st Pediatrics, we understand how busy this time of year can be — and how important your child’s health is. Our dedicated team makes the immunization process quick, easy, and stress-free. Whether it’s reviewing your child’s records, administering last-minute vaccines, or answering your questions, we’re here to help every step of the way.

Schedule your appointment today, and let us help your child start the school year protected, healthy, and ready to thrive — before the first bell rings!