As your tween or teen heads back to school this month, be sure he or she is protected with the proper vaccines. The Arkansas Immunization Action Coalition, made up of a variety of healthcare providers, strongly advocates ensuring that kids’ immunizations are kept up-to-date. Arkansas public school requirements can be found online at HealthyArkansas.gov. Schools will request an updated immunization record which you can get from your doctor’s office or from other healthcare providers, such as pharmacists with access to the immunization registry at the Arkansas Department of Health. Keep a record at home as well.

In addition to standard childhood vaccines, there are three recommended immunizations for children ages 11-18 to protect them from whooping cough, tetanus, bacterial meningitis and human papillomavirus (HPV). Your pediatrician can provide immunizations to infants through age 18 and most pharmacies in Arkansas can provide immunizations to children over age seven.

Whooping Cough and Tetanus.

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a very serious respiratory infection caused through direct contact when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The cold-like symptoms and sometimes a violent cough can last for weeks. Pertussis is most serious for babies, who can get pneumonia. A one-time booster vaccine called Tdap for pre-teens and teens helps protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. In Arkansas, all seventh graders must receive a Tdap vaccine before starting school.

Meningitis.

Meningococcal disease is another potentially severe illness caused by bacteria that is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis (an infection of the brain and spinal cord) in children. The bacteria are spread through coughing, sneezing or kissing. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sleepiness and confusion. Complications of this disease include hearing or memory loss, learning disabilities, brain damage, and sometimes can lead to death. The meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) is recommended for children aged 11 or 12 with a booster shot at age 16. Arkansas public schools require students who turn 16 years of age before Sept. 1 to receive a meningococcal vaccination even if they received one at age 12. In addition, this immunization is generally required for teens moving into a college dorm or military barracks.

Human Papillomavirus.

Millions of people become infected each year with the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the major cause of cervical cancer in women along with several other cancers in males primarily between ages 30-40. Vaccination of adolescent girls and boys is recommended with a three-dose series of the HPV vaccine. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines, in 2012 only 54 percent of girls in the United States received one dose of the HPV vaccine and only 33 percent completed the entire three-shot series. Arkansas has the lowest HPV vaccination rate of all 50 states, below 20 percent.

Diseases such as whooping cough and meningitis, plus cervical cancer, are highly preventable with routine immunizations. In addition to ensuring that your kids get these three vaccines, don’t forget about protection from influenza. The entire family, including everyone ages six months and older, should get a flu shot each fall.

Eric Crumbaugh, Pharm.D., is Director of Clinical Programs for the Arkansas Pharmacists Association and Executive Director of the Arkansas Immunization Action Coalition. He and his wife Jennifer, also a pharmacist, have an 18-month-old daughter Olivia.