As students across the Commonwealth are heading back to school, August is a great time to prioritize kids learning and staying healthy – and an important way to do that is by ensuring kids stay on track with immunizations as they grow. 

August is also recognized as National Immunization Month – an optimal time to check on your child’s immunization status to help keep them and their peers healthy and safe at school. In Kentucky, students are required to submit an immunization record to their school in Kindergarten, seventh, and eleventh grade. 

Immunizations are important for school-aged kids, but also for young children and adults across their lifetime. Immunization schedules and recommendations are based on research that highlights the optimal time to administer immunizations to different age groups.

  • Keeping kids healthy starts early. Pregnant women should talk to their care provider about immunizations that are important to stay healthy during their pregnancy and to boost immunity for their child. 
  • Parents and caregivers should talk to their child’s pediatrician about the childhood immunization schedule and make a plan to keep their child up to date beginning at birth. 
  • Adults should talk to their care provider about immunizations that may be needed based on risk factors in their lives, or seasonal immunization options such as the flu vaccine. 

Back to school season can be a hectic time for parents and families but keeping kids up to date on immunizations is an easy way to support their growth and learning. Make a plan with your child’s pediatrician to stay up to date on immunizations and present in the classroom.