Macon County Health Department urges parents to prepare for back-to-school vaccinations

DECATUR Ill. (WAND) - The school year is quickly approaching, and parents are checking off to-do lists. This year, kindergartners, sixth graders and 12^th graders are required to have vaccines for school.

Macon County Health Department's Director of Health Promotion Emily O'Connell says vaccines are pivotal. 

"Vaccines are very important to help keep that spread of infectious disease low. Each of those age groups do require a different vaccine," O'Connell said. 

Kindergartners will need the following vaccines: DTap, Polio, MMR, Varicella and Hepatitis A. Upcoming sixth graders will need vaccines for: Tdap, Meningitis, HPV and Hepatitis. Lastly, 12^th graders will need vaccines for Meningitis, HPV and Hepatitis A. 

For uninsured families, the public health department charges $20 per vaccine. During the school year, the MCPHD encourages parents to have their child participate in Well-Child checkups. 

"Making sure your child is going to those Well-Child checkups is important to make sure that you're catching those early issues, making sure that they are growing and developing well," O'Connell said. 

Beyond the immunizations, O'Connell stresses the importance of mental and emotional health for kids. She said if parents are proactive with things at home, attendance and overall well-being can improve. 

"Make sure that you are setting routines early on. Get the bedtime schedule made, make sure you have well-balanced meals and open communication with your kid," O'Connell said. 

The MCPHD believes these tips can go a long way in setting students up for success this school year. If your kids have not received the mandatory vaccinations, the MCPHD will offer resources Saturday at the Decatur Family YMCA for the annual Backpack Attack.