Back-to-School Vaccines 2022: What Your Child Needs, When, and Why

Per the state of Georgia, there are additional specific vaccine requirements prior to both 7th and 11th grade.

It is back-to-school time and in addition to the mile-long supply lists and hours of shopping to find the perfect backpack, outfit and shoes, you also find yourself receiving emails, letters and other communications galore about immunizations that your kiddos will need prior to returning to school.

You may think after you made it through all of the requirements to initially get your child into school for kindergarten that you are set, but that is not the case! Per the state of Georgia, there are additional specific vaccine requirements prior to both 7th and 11th grade.

For 7th grade (or if you are new to a Georgia School in grades 8-12), all children born on or after January 1, 2002, must have received one dose of the TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) vaccine and one dose of the MCV4 (Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine).

In addition, if you have a student entering 11th grade, you need to take note of some new requirements there as well. Your rising 11th grader will need a booster to the MCV4 vaccine that they received around 11 years of age unless they received their first dose on or after their 16th birthday.

After receiving the above mentioned vaccines at the appropriate time, you will need to provide your school administration with Form 3231, which is the Georgia Department of Public Health Certificate of Immunization.

What if my child is starting college?

If you have a child entering their college years, you are probably feeling stress about multiple things – moving out and moving in, is this safe or is that safe, etc. Well, one thing that will also need to be a priority is making sure they have the vaccinations needed before their admission process can be completed. Each college will have their own immunization guidelines, but if your child is attending a college that is part of the University System of Georgia, they will have to have proof of:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) series
• Varicella (Chicken Pox) series
• TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) vaccine or booster within 10 years
• Hepatitis B series
• MCV4 (Meningococcal ACWY) vaccine and booster if within 5 years

Although not required by most colleges, they do highly recommend some additional vaccines to keep your college-aged children as safe as possible. These include MEN B (Meningococcal B), Influenza vaccine yearly, HPV (Human Papillomavirus) series, and Hepatitis A series.

For colleges in Georgia, the University System of Georgia Required Certificate of Immunization form will need to be submitted to the college’s admission department prior to the admission process being completed.

Where can I get my child’s vaccine record?

Your pediatrician or family practitioner’s office can provide you with the information and forms you need, or you can contact your local health department.

What is a TDAP Vaccine?

It is a vaccine that protects against Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis. Your kids are actually given 5 doses of a similar vaccine -- DTAP -- as an infant and toddler and then the TDAP booster, usually at age 11-12. This vaccine protects your child from Tetanus, which is a serious disease that can cause severe muscle stiffness.

The vaccine also protects against Diphtheria, which can be a very serious disease that can cause your child to develop a thick coating in the back of the nose or throat making it hard for your child to breathe or swallow.

Lastly, and probably more well-known due to media coverage with cases increasing in certain areas lately, it protects against Pertussis, or Whooping Cough. Pertussis can be a potentially serious and even deadly disease that presents with symptoms of violent coughing fits. This vaccine is especially important in infants or individuals in contact with newborns. Newborns are very vulnerable to having serious cases and serious complications from being exposed.

What is MCV4 Vaccine?

It is the Quadrivalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine, which means it protects against A, C, W and Y serogroups of the disease. Meningococcal disease is a bacteria that can cause infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord as well as bloodsteam infections. It can be devastating and debilitating, having a 10-15% fatality rate. As noted above, this vaccine is normally given with an initial dose at age 11-12 and a booster dose prior to entering 11th grade.

What is the MEN B Vaccine?

It is very similar in characteristics to the MCV4 vaccine but protects against the B serogroup of the disease which is not covered by the required MCV4 Vaccine. It is especially important for adolescents/young adults who will be starting college or joining the military as living in close quarters with others, such as in dorms or barracks, increases the risk of getting meningitis. This vaccine is given in 2 or 3 doses, depending on the manufacturer and is recommended to be given at age 16-23.

Are these vaccines safe?

Yes. These vaccines have prevented millions of cases of serious and sometimes debilitating or even fatal illness. Side effects are mild for the vast majority of children who receive them. Vaccines are so successful that some diseases we used to routinely vaccinate against, including Smallpox and Polio, are now extinct in America. Reports you may have seen linking childhood vaccines to conditions such as autism have been proven false.

Get a head start on getting everything ready for back to school by calling your child’s physician’s office to get these vaccines scheduled as soon as possible if you fall into any of the above categories!

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The information in this blog was reviewed for clinical accuracy by Rachel M. Hunt, M.D., Pediatrician. This content is provided for general information only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. Please contact your pediatrician or primary care provider for medical guidance specific to you or your child.