Vaccinations for the new school year

With school right around the corner it is important to remember to get your children immunized.
Vaccinations for several diseases are required before the school year starts for all first-time students entering school in Mississippi. Those required vaccinations are: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella and chicken pox.
Seventh graders are required to get vaccinated for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. While not required, health officials recommend that students age 11 to 15 get HPV vaccinations and that those 16 to 18 years of age get the meningitis vaccination.
Health care workers say now is the time to get your children vaccinated. Nurse Practitioner Nikki Cochran said, “Common myths are that it is going to make you sick to vaccinate and that is not true. That’s not based on any scientific fact. Actually vaccinations, if you look up the disease process versus the vaccination the child may get, feel a little tired for a couple days, but it does not make them sick. It does not give them the disease.”
The vaccination for children program is federally funded and provides free vaccines for children who otherwise would not financially be able to get these vaccines.
The Singing River Health System on Highway 64 in Hurley offers free vaccines for those who qualify.