We’ve reached the final weeks of the 2023-24 school year for most students in Snohomish County. Many families are counting down to summer adventures.
We hope you have some fantastic highlights on your list for June, July, and August. Parks and beaches. Camping and swimming. Community events. Summer reading and backyard barbecues.
And annual well-child visits, of course.
Now is an ideal time to plan your family’s check-ups and immunizations before the summer flies by. A routine doctor’s visit at least once a year is important for kids, whether they are toddling around in childcare, getting ready for elementary school, or navigating the teenage years in middle and high school.
During a well-child visit, the doctor can make sure your child has all recommended immunizations for their age. This is important. Before your child returns to class, make sure they are protected against potentially serious illnesses. Getting vaccinated also increases community immunity to help protect classmates, teachers, family and friends.
Your child’s healthcare provider can print a copy of their immunization record to show that they meet state vaccination requirements for school-age children or for preschool and child care. You can also check your family’s immunizations and print a record by going to https://app.myirmobile.com/WA.
Recommended childhood vaccines are available at no cost for children in the state of Washington up until they turn 19 years old. There may be a fee for administering the vaccine, but the fee should be waived for families that cannot afford it.
The need to stay current on immunizations doesn’t end when kids turn 19, though. It’s also important for young adults to get vaccinated against diseases so they are protected as they dive into busy social environments like college, new jobs, service, or travel.
Routine immunizations such as MMR, Tdap, and others protect against a long list of diseases with an even longer list of potentially serious complications. This includes measles, mumps, rubella, polio, chickenpox, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, pneumococcal disease, influenza and COVID-19.
So schedule that well-child visit and get your kids caught up on immunizations soon. Summer is just around the corner. Those sunny days go by fast. Your child deserves the best protection before the next school year starts.
More info: www.snohd.org/immunizations.
