If your student is finishing up pre-K, fifth grade or 11th grade, chances are they’ll need new vaccines before heading back to school in the fall.
But knowing what your kid is due for can be tricky. Mirror Indy talked to four school health professionals to build this back-to-school guide for youth immunizations.
Here’s what you need to know to start the year in good standing with your kids’ school nurse.
Why get your kid vaccinated?
Keeping up with vaccines can protect your kids from developing serious diseases, such as smallpox, polio or measles — the latter of which has drawn concern after recent outbreaks in other states.
Vaccines can also help reduce the spread of illness and disease. That’s especially important in areas like schools where kids mix and mingle everyday.
“The better we can protect ourselves and our children, the better off we’ll all be,” said Kim Howard, the director of health and nursing services for Warren Township schools.
Beyond that, the state requires it. Indiana law directs schools to collect vaccine records for each student before their first day of school.
Most schools allow a grace period for students to get caught up. However, if your school doesn’t hear from you after the first few weeks, your child may be asked to stay home.
Some schools set what’s called “an exclusion date” that serves as a deadline to get records in.
Districts often schedule this date for October, or near fall break, to allow plenty of time to catch up on vaccinations, especially the ones families might not have known about until their kids started school.
Some districts, including IPS and Warren Township, let kids continue coming to class past the exclusion date if students can show they have a vaccination appointment scheduled.
“We don’t want kids out for long periods of time,” said Megan Carlson, director of health services for IPS. “If you’re actively working on it, we are going to work with you.”
What vaccines do kids need? And when?
The Indiana Department of Health keeps a list of both required and recommended vaccines for children. You can find English and Spanish language versions online.
Kids need some vaccines before they start school, but they’ll need additional doses as they get older. Generally, kids need vaccines when entering pre-K, kindergarten, sixth grade and senior year.
However, if your student is younger or older than most classmates in their grade, they might be on a different vaccine schedule. You can check with the state or Marion County Public Health Department for recommendations.
Your child’s doctor or school nurse can also answer questions and help walk you through what age is best to vaccinate.
Where can kids get vaccinated in Indy?
Your child’s doctor can administer vaccines as part of their annual check-ups. But if you’re not established with a doctor, there are free and low-cost options available.
The Indiana Department of Health keeps an interactive map of nearby providers.
Many school districts partner with the Indiana Immunization Coalition to organize free clinics in schools or community centers. Those usually take place once or twice a year per participating school district.
“Our goal here is to break down barriers that families would have as far as transportation, funds and things like that,” said Brittney Hayes, a nurse at Ben Davis High School. “Students are able to get called from class, get their immunizations that they need and then they can go back to class.”
You can check the coalition’s website to search for clinics coming up near you. The coalition also offers walk-in hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays in its office in the Far Eastside neighborhood at 6919 E. 10th St., Suite C.
The Marion County Public Health Department is also an option. You can call to schedule an appointment at one of its five offices across the city. Contact information for each location is available on the health department’s website.
School nurses say local pharmacies, such as CVS or Walgreens, can also be convenient for some families. Both offer a range of children’s vaccines, often at no cost with common insurance plans.
You can visit the CVS or Walgreens website to find your nearest location and make an appointment.
What should I bring to a vaccine clinic or immunization appointment?
Bring your child’s vaccination records and your insurance card, if you have them. This is especially important if you’re visiting somewhere new.
Most vaccines are covered by insurance. If you’re not insured, consider visiting one of the Indiana Immunization Coalition clinics listed above.
My child’s vaccinated. What’s next?
Indiana uses a computer system called CHIRP, or the Children and Hoosier Immunization Registry Program, to help track medical records.
Once your child has been vaccinated, their provider will most likely record their immunization in the CHIRP system.
Schools have access to CHIRP. But, school nurses say, some providers are better than others about uploading vaccinations in a timely manner.
So it’s a good idea to let your child’s school know directly if your kid has had any new immunizations. You can call or visit your school to get started.
Schedule follow-ups as needed
Some vaccines require multiple shots to be fully effective.
If your child is due for a series of shots, such as the Hepatitis A vaccine, make sure you’ve planned for your student to receive the complete dosage. That could mean return trips to your doctor or immunization provider.
Ask your child’s provider about how many shots they’ll need in a series. They can walk you through the number of shots required and when your child is due to come back for their next dose.
You can set a reminder in your phone or leave a sticky note on a mirror at home to help you remember the return visit.
What if my child can’t get vaccinated?
Your child may be eligible for a vaccine exemption. There are two types in Indiana: a medical exemption and a religious exemption.
Schools in Indiana honor both. However, if you haven’t informed your school of the exemption, your student could be asked to stay home until the proper paperwork is filed.
Medical exemptions are rare but could arise if your child’s doctor recommends holding off on vaccines. This could come up for kids who are immunocompromised or undergoing treatment such as chemotherapy.
Your child’s doctor can help you with the required documentation for a medical exemption. They’ll need to sign off on it.
A religious exemption is available to those who prefer not to vaccinate based on spiritual beliefs.
Contact your school to ask about their preferred notification for a religious exemption. Generally, a parent’s signature is all that’s needed for this type of exemption.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
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