Back to School Immunizations Protect Children in the Classroom and in the Community

As the summer starts to wind down and parents prepare their back-to-school check list, Muzna Atif, MD, medical director of inpatient pediatrics, at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC) says don’t forget your children’s immunizations.

“After a vaccination is received, it can take the body two to three weeks to build protection against diseases,” said Dr. Atif. “Immunizations should be done at least a month before school starts so children are fully protected when they return to class, sports and other activities.”

Many childhood vaccinations begin at birth and according to the California Department of Public Health, K-12 students are required to receive the following vaccines to attend school:

• DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis)
• Polio
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Tdap (for older students)
• Meningococcal (Meningitis, often required for middle and high school)

Vaccines are important for preventing outbreaks from highly contagious diseases such as measles, whooping cough and the chickenpox. It’s also important to consider seasonal vaccines for the flu, RSV and COVID-19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. is having its worst year for measles spread in more than three decades, with a total of 1,288 cases nationally and another six months to go in 2025. This year’s outbreaks, some of them interconnected, started five months ago in undervaccinated communities in West Texas, where three children have tragically died from complications of the virus.

A recent study found that childhood vaccination rates against measles fell after the COVID-19 pandemic in nearly 80% of 2,000 U.S. counties, including in states that are battling outbreaks this year.

“Vaccines are safe and proven to work,” said Dr. Atif. “Twenty-five years ago, measles was considered eliminated in the U.S., but the virus has made a dangerous comeback due to falling vaccination rates.”

Your pediatrician is an expert in childhood diseases and can guide your family through the immunization process.

“The recent measles outbreak in Texas should be reason enough to protect your children through vaccination, and since school starts soon, don’t wait until the last minute to schedule immunizations,” said Dr. Atif. “Together, we can safeguard our children against disease and contribute to a healthier, safer community for everyone.”

To learn more about pediatric services at PVHMC, click here.