Back to School: CHRISTUS Health reminds parents of required immunizations with kids returning to classrooms

With students in Southeast Texas returning to classrooms, CHRISTUS Health is reminding parents about required immunizations and their role in limiting transmission of illness.

“Vaccines train your immune system to recognize and defend against harmful diseases,” said Dr. William Pickard, family medicine physician with CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System. “By building this protection ahead of time, your body is better prepared to fight off infections if you're exposed in the future.”

Texas law requires children to be vaccinated against several diseases before attending school, including MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), hepatitis A and B and DTap (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), among others.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thousands of adults and children in the U.S. get sick each year from diseases that vaccines can help prevent. For patients with asthma or who are immunocompromised, vaccines can help protect their health from illnesses like influenza and pneumonia.

“Most routine childhood vaccines are completed by the time a child reaches 12,” Pickard said. “After that, it’s all about staying on track with annual immunizations, like the flu shot, to keep your protection going strong.”

For children who may not have been vaccinated or are behind on vaccinations, the Texas Department of State Health Services provides a “catch-up” schedule to ensure children and adolescents can receive required vaccinations.

Parents who may have questions about the vaccination status of their child are encouraged to speak to their family doctor as well as local school districts regarding any vaccination requirements.