Most schools are back in session for the year next week, and an Oneida County Public Health nurse says parents should make sure their kids have their vaccinations up to date.
Jennifer Bates says there's a scramble to get backpacks and other school supplies and vaccinations can be forgotten. She says with students getting into close proximity with other people in a school setting, it increases the possibility of kids getting ill.
She says vaccines have improved the health of young people compared to decades past...
"....Vaccines have been able to reduce a lot of diseases, some have become rare in the United States that we don't see here any more. But many still do exist and that is why it's important(students) get the vaccinations that are recommended...."
Bates says the types of vaccinations vary by the age of the child and recommends parents contact their care providers to see what their child needs. She says some vaccines are required. But she says one vaccine that could help is sometimes not the first one that comes to mind...
"....One important one to keep in mind is we're coming into flu season. The flu(vaccine) is recommended for children six months and older. That's a good one to keep in mind also...."
Flu vaccines will be available through the Oneida County Health Department beginning Monday, September 10. Bates says it's important to get the vaccines for another reason: if students are not vaccinated, they could also spread disease to other students.
