Back to school means vaccinations for children - FOX 25/48 - WLAX/WEUX La Crosse & Eau Claire News

Back to school means vaccinations for children

Health departments and clinics are starting to fill up again as parents are lining their kids up to get back-to-school vaccinations. Schools and day-cares require students to get a couple of different vaccinations, but parents are still weighing the risks

Lindsey Schurhammer, along with her sister, was at the health department Monday for vaccinations.

"I had to get 2 shots and it wasn't bad. I think they're good, they help protecting you from diseases," said Schurhammer.

What is commonly required at schools and day cares are vaccinations for TDAP, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, MMR, and Varicella.

Having a child vaccinated for so many diseases can be daunting for parents.

"Any parent is going to be concerned but I know that it's a safeguard and that it should be done," said Brook Biddle, father of a 3 year old girl.

More vaccines means more diseases are being prevented against, but vaccines aren't fool proof. Outbreaks of rare diseases have been showing up more frequently the past couple years. Before last year cases of whooping cough were rare, but we are starting to see it again with the current outbreak.

"We have had over 3 thousand cases to the health department that local health departments are investigating. Wisconsin has the 2nd highest number of cases in the country right now," said public health nurse Christine Berth.

Doctors recommend getting more vaccinations than the current requirement.

"I would recommend teens getting an influenza vaccine and both males and females getting a HPV vaccine," said Berth.

School is starting soon; Berth says parents should think about scheduling the vaccinations appointments now.