ADPH: “Parents and guardians reminded that childhood vaccinations are required.”

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Now is the time to make sure your children are up to date on their vaccines before the start of school. Getting children all recommended vaccines is one of the most important things parents can do to help protect their kids’ health, the health of their classmates, and their community. Childhood vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including polio, measles, whooping cough and chickenpox.

Parents need to vaccinate their children according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ immunization schedule, endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Alabama state law requires children to be current on vaccinations before enrolling them in childcare centers and schools to protect the health of all students, and a Certificate of Immunization must be presented.

Immunization is crucial. Since 2010, there have been between 10,000 and 50,000 cases of whooping cough and as many as 20 deaths of babies each year in the United States. Most whooping cough deaths are among babies who are too young to be protected by their mother’s vaccination.