August 20, 2024 – Health Hero Tennessee

With the beginning of school only weeks away, it’s time to pack those bags and gather all the essentials to start the school year off right. While you’re busy gathering everything your child needs, don’t overlook one crucial aspect: ensuring their health is up-to-date. This means scheduling a check-up to confirm they’ve received all the required vaccinations, regardless of the educational level they are entering.

You must provide proof of their vaccination records to enroll your child in school. Most vaccinations your child needs are administered before they turn two; however, additional doses, such as boosters, are necessary as they age. If your child is entering kindergarten, they must get the tetanus and whooping cough booster, polio booster, measles-mumps-rubella booster, and chickenpox booster vaccines. But how do you know when to get that extra boost?

Keeping Vaccine Records Up-to-Date

It is important to keep your child’s vaccine records updated for your peace of mind and to protect them. Each child is given a vaccine card at birth, which should be brought to every well-child visit. This card holds your vaccination history from infant to adult. This allows healthcare providers to review and ensure the records are current. Mismatches between school records and those at the doctor’s office can cause issues, so ensure the information aligns. You can always request a copy of your child’s vaccine records from your doctor to provide to the school if needed.

What Vaccines Does My Child Need?

To ensure your child has their vaccinations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a detailed immunization schedule for children, updated annually.

The schedule is divided into age-specific recommendations for vaccines, including:

Birth to 6 Years

● Birth: Hepatitis B (HepB)

● 1–2 Months: HepB, DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), IPV (Inactivated Poliovirus), PCV13 (Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine), RV (Rotavirus)

● 4–6 Months: DTaP, Hib, IPV, PCV13, RV

● 6–18 Months: HepB, DTaP, Hib, IPV, PCV13, RV

● 12–15 Months: Hib, PCV13, MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), VAR (Varicella), HepA (Hepatitis A)

● 15–18 Months: DTaP

● 18–24 Months: HepA

● 4–6 Years: DTaP, IPV, MMR, VAR

7–18 Years

● 11–12 Years: Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), MCV4 (Meningococcal conjugate), HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

● 16 Years: MCV4 (booster)

You can check the CDC’s official website or consult a healthcare provider for the most current and detailed schedule

What to Do If Vaccine Records Are Missing or You’re New to the Country?

Misplacing or losing vaccination records can happen, and if you can’t find your personal or doctor’s records, your child may need to receive some vaccines again. While not ideal, it’s safe to repeat vaccines. Sometimes, a doctor can perform blood tests to check for immunity to certain diseases. If you don’t have a written record of your child’s vaccines, your doctor can assist by retrieving records from previous healthcare providers.

For new families that have moved to the U.S., the vaccinations they received from their previous home are usually accepted as long as they meet the U.S. schedule. Countries like Mexico, Canada, and many in Central and South America follow similar vaccination guidelines, so the records from those countries are generally accepted. However, ensure you have full documentation of the dates the vaccines were given.

Vaccination Exemptions

Some exemptions from state or local vaccination requirements may apply to certain children. All states and the District of Columbia allow medical exemptions for children with conditions that prevent them from receiving vaccines. Most states also offer nonmedical exemptions for religious or philosophical reasons, except for three states.

To obtain an exemption, you must provide the appropriate form to the school, which will be kept in your child’s permanent record. If you choose not to vaccinate your child, pediatricians will continue to discuss the benefits and risks at each visit, especially if your child’s health changes.

Medical exemptions from vaccinations are generally uncommon but may be necessary in certain situations. For example, a medical exemption might be required if a child experiences a severe, life-threatening reaction to a vaccine or is undergoing medical treatments like chemotherapy. Your doctor can provide the appropriate documentation to obtain the exemption in these cases.

Starting the School Year Right

While a new backpack and pencils are important for the school year, preparing for school registration and ensuring your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date is equally essential. Consult your doctor if you’re unsure about your child’s vaccination status. They can guide on what vaccinations are needed and address any concerns about exemptions. Your child’s health should be a top priority for their well-being and the safety of those around them. Before sending them off to school, ensure they are healthy so they can enjoy a new year of wonder and learning.

Sources

CDC: Staying Up to Date with Your Vaccine Records

CDC: What is an Exemption and What Does it Mean?

On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (also known as the WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency. This declaration was due to a rapid increase in cases of mpox in several countries in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The hike in mpox cases has been closely watched by international health experts who are concerned that the virus could spread to even more African countries and potentially outside of the African continent. By identifying the very real threat of this outbreak, health professionals and governments from around the globe will be able to work together towards stopping the spread of mpox and end the current outbreaks.

What is mpox?

You may have heard of this virus before but perhaps under its former name (monkeypox). It was called that because the Monkeypox virus causes the illness. Now, though, this disease is known as mpox. The monkeypox virus that causes mpox is related to the same group of viruses that causes smallpox (but it is not related to chickenpox). The virus that causes mpox has been found in small rodents, monkeys, and other mammals, mostly living in Central and West Africa. Mpox is consistently present in these areas, so it is considered “endemic” in those places. For comparison, many diseases are considered endemic in the U.S., such influenza (flu), chronic hepatitis, and HIV.

What is the disease like?

The most common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or lesions (often looking like sores) which can be anywhere on the body. Rashes and lesions typically last around 2–4 weeks. This type of rash usually starts as a flat sore which may itch or become painful as it next blisters and fills with liquid. Finally, scabs will develop and fall off of these areas as the rashes and lesions heal. Other frequent symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, muscle aches, and back pain. But the exact symptoms and severity will differ from person to person. Although rare, it is also possible to be infected with mpox without developing any symptoms. Symptoms of mpox usually start within a week of exposure, but can start anywhere from 1–21 days after being exposed. While symptoms should clear up between 2–4 weeks, it can take longer for people with weak immune systems, children, and those who are pregnant.

It is very important to be aware that there is potential for serious complications due to mpox symptoms. Some of these include bacterial infections of open lesions, sepsis (an infection of the blood), pneumonia, severe dehydration and/or malnutrition caused by vomiting and diarrhea, inflammation of many organs, and even death.

How is mpox spread?

Mpox is spread through direct contact with infected people, animals, contaminated materials, and infected pregnant individuals can pass the virus to their unborn baby. Among humans, mpox can be spread face-to-face (talking/breathing), skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth, and through close contact (through respiratory droplets); it can also spread through touch, kissing, or sexual interaction. People with mpox are infectious and can pass the disease on to others until all sores have healed and a new layer of skin has formed.

How is mpox treated?

Mpox treatment is focused on managing the symptoms, healing rashes and sores, managing pain, and preventing complications. Some antiviral drugs that were originally developed to treat smallpox have been used to treat mpox, and more studies are in progress to determine how effective these may be.

How can mpox be prevented?

There is an approved mpox vaccine that can assist in preventing infection. The vaccine should be given within 4 days of coming in contact with someone with mpox. For high-risk people, such as health workers who may be exposed and individuals with specific risk factors, mpox vaccination is highly recommended, particularly during an outbreak. Anyone with known or suspected mpox should be quarantined and cared for away from others who may contract the virus.

Other Questions?

While this may seem far removed from the safety of the United States, diseases like mpox should never be underestimated. Learning and understanding these kinds of health issues is critical because no one can guarantee that a highly contagious virus like this will not slip through the cracks and accidentally show up on our doorstep. With international travel being as convenient and accessible as it is today, we have a responsibility to know what is happening in the rest of the world, and to do what we can to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy. We are very fortunate to have global leadership that is taking a proactive approach to the current outbreak and working with people from all over the world to contain this virus as much as possible. Still, though, we must take whatever steps we can — even if that is just making sure we are educated — to be prepared, and engage in safe, preventive health practices.

Feel free to message my Facebook page with questions and thoughts. I love hearing from you and have been amazed at the incredible, thoughtful questions I have received! It is refreshing (and reassuring) to see so many people truly interested and invested in their health and the health of their loved ones and communities. I am always here as a resource that you can access and, most importantly, trust.

Be Well; Be Kind,

Dr. Casey

Want to Learn More?

If you want to read more about the WHO’s recent decision to declare mpox a global public health emergency, here is a press release that gives an overview of the issue and the decision: https://www.who.int/news/item/14-08-2024-who-director-general-declares-mpox-outbreak-a-public-health-emergency-of-international-concern

If you are interested in learning more about mpox, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an overview and more information here: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/about/index.html

The WHO has even more details about mpox, including its signs, symptoms, and important advice for prevention available here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox

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