Health and Lifestyle

Back-to-School Immunity Check: Why Catching Up on Vaccines Matters

Dr. Vincy Infantina

Aug 11, 2025 — 2 min read

As schools open, some children are returning to class without full vaccine protection, putting themselves and others at risk. Gaps in immunity can make it easier for illnesses to spread. Back-to-school season is the perfect time to catch up, protect your child, and prevent outbreaks before they start.

The Immunity Gap is Real and Risky

Gaps in immunization across different age groups have led to more cases of illnesses like measles, whooping cough, and meningitis, especially as students return to school. In high-contact spaces like classrooms, the risk of outbreaks is higher. Reviewing and updating your child's vaccine records can help keep them and their community safe.

Why Teens Need Boosters, Not Just Toddlers

Immunization does not stop in early childhood; teenagers also need booster shots to remain protected as they grow. Vaccines such as Tdap and HPV are often missed in this age group and can leave adolescents susceptible to potentially preventable diseases. Vaccines protect not only each individual but also help to control the transmission of diseases in schools and communities. Staying updated with adolescent vaccines is important to protect individual and collective health.

Vaccines and Learning: The Cognitive Connection

Recent studies show that some vaccine-preventable diseases can impact brain development. Measles, for example, is associated with a temporary cognitive lag in children who recover from the infection. Mild infections lead to absenteeism from school, loss of concentration, and falling behind at school. Immunization plays a secondary role in the system of academic achievement by keeping kids healthy and at school at all times.

From Paperwork to Protection: What Parents Often Miss

Many parents fail to update school health records with the latest vaccine information. More recent guidelines, such as the RSV vaccination for infants or booster shots against COVID-19, are easily overlooked. Keeping your child's medical record up to date is a simple but essential measure towards securing school safety. A single visit can remove unnecessary risk for the rest of the year.

Vaccination is not just an individual choice; it is the responsibility of everyone to prevent sickness, promote learning, and keep vulnerable students safe. Start the kids' school year strong, completely shielded and stress-free.

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