Kids across the country are groaning about returning to school in just a few weeks as parents are scrambling to get their kids ready for back-to-school. Part of that back-to-school readiness should include health screenings and getting boosters and vaccinations. Boosters and vaccinations usually come in waves—entering kindergarten/1st grade, entering 6th grade and entering 11th grade.
- The kindergarten/1st grade round of boosters/vaccines typically includes: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), chickenpox, DTaP (diptheria, tetanus, pertussis) and polio.
- The 6th grade round typically includes a Tdap booster (similar to DTaP but for older kids), a first meningococcal vaccine, and a recommendation for the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine.
- The 11th grade round typically includes the second meningococcal vaccine.
You should also confirm that your child’s flu and Covid vaccines/boosters are up to date. And, if you have a college kid who might be studying abroad, he/she might need special vaccines or boosters to protect against diseases less commonly found in the U.S, such as cholera, yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A. Refer to documentation from the study abroad program to determine what your child may need.
Back to school is also a great time for regular health screenings such as annual physical exams and hearing screenings and visions screenings (both of which can be performed in a pediatrician’s office).
Don’t forget that all regular vaccinations and doctors’ visits for all plan participants are covered by our EWTF Health Plan.
Learn more by visiting Child Wellness Visits and Examinations.