Back To School: Immunizations

Okay ready here's your check list. Pencils, paper, binders, lunch pail and new clothes. Everything covered for school, right? Almost. You still have to get your child's immunizations. Experts say this if often the last thing parents think about.

Registered Nurse Marina Kistner says, "I think so and that's probably why they all wait until the last minute because we tell them don't wait to the last minute come the spring before kindergarten but parents always seem to wait until the last minute."

            Marina says it's not too late for parents to still think about immunizations. She also says many parents wonder why their children need shots in the first place.

Kistner says, "They'll say 'Oh my kids don't need shot because there's no measles, there's no polio.' The reason there's no measles or polio around is because there's immunizations. By getting immunizations, you're not only protecting your child, you're protecting the kids around you."

            Experts say shots are important because preventative care goes a long way to helping your child and other loved ones.

"By getting your shots it will protect you from getting sick and it will protect people around you because some vaccines like chicken pocks, they think oh chicken pocks aren't a big deal, people have died from it especially adults."

            Marina says there are different shots for different grad levels and you should contact your school for a complete listing.