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Back to School Immunizations
2022 - 2023 School Immunization Requirements
The Indiana State Department of Health Immunization Division annually reviews and updates the immunizations required for school entry.
- All other requirements from the 2021-2022 school year will remain unchanged.
The full list of all school immunization requirements can be found on the Indiana State Department of Health’s Immunization website at https://www.in.gov/isdh/17094.htm.
Other immunizations your physician may recommend for adolescents (if not already given):
- HPV vaccine- recommended for both boys and girls starting at age 11 to prevent cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers in girls and anal, oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) in both boys and girls. New recommendations adopted in December 2016 has changed the number of doses required depending on age when the series is started. Talk to your health care provider for more information.
- Meningitis B vaccine- this two (2) shot series is recommended for ages 16-18 years to prevent Meningococcal disease (Neisseria meningitidis) which causes meningitis and infections of the blood. This has been the cause of recent outbreaks at colleges and universities. The college or university your child will attend may require this vaccine. Check their immunization requirements.
- COVID-19- this two (2) shot series is now recommended for everyone 5 years and older to prevent COVID-19 disease. It is now available for under 5 years of age too. Booster doses are recommended depending on age. Although fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, can get sick from COVID-19, and can spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to others. Getting your child vaccinated helps to protect your child and your family.
What should parents do to make sure their children are properly immunized?
- Check your child’s immunization record. It is possible your child has already received these vaccines.
- If your child has received the vaccines, give the immunization record to the school nurse. Ask your healthcare provider to put immunizations into CHIRP, the statewide immunization registry. This will prevent unnecessary immunizations from being given. Since 2015 health care providers have been required by Indiana law to put immunizations for anyone under 19 years of age into CHIRP.
- If your child has not received the vaccines, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. Remember to schedule your appointment early to avoid the last-minute rush.
These changes will continue to help Indiana prevent further disease outbreaks that have occurred in our state in recent years.
Sources
- Indiana State Department of Health, June 2022
- Hamilton County Health Department, July 8, 2022
- CDC Frequently Asked Questions https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.htmls_cid=10504:covid%20vaccine%20timeline:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY21