Vaccination Reminder for Wyoming Parents as School Year Begins

As children return to schools across Wyoming, the state's Department of Health is urging parents to ensure their kids are up-to-date on essential vaccinations to prevent the spread of life-threatening diseases. Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and epidemiologist, emphasized the importance of vaccines in protecting children from illnesses such as measles and whooping cough. While some vaccinations are mandatory for public and private schools, parents are also encouraged to consult their children's vaccination records and seek low-cost or no-cost options through programs like the Vaccines for Children initiative.

Key Takeaways:

• The Wyoming Department of Health recommends that kindergarteners be up-to-date on DTaP, MMR, hepatitis B, polio, and varicella vaccinations.
• Children aged 11-12 years old should receive a Tdap vaccination.
• Depending on individual school rules, children without completed required vaccinations may face conditional enrollment or exclusion from school.
• Parents are encouraged to keep their children's vaccination records updated through the Docket website and smartphone app.
• Cost should not be a barrier to vaccinations for Wyoming's children, as most health insurance policies cover vaccination costs, and over 100 providers offer low-cost vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program.

Statistics:

• More than 100 Wyoming providers offer low-cost vaccines for qualifying children through the Vaccines for Children program.
• The Vaccines for Children program aims to provide no-cost or low-cost vaccinations for children who may need financial assistance.
• The Wyoming Department of Health encourages parents to consult the "Vaccine Records and Docket" tab on immunizewyoming.com for more information about vaccination records and available programs.

Sources:

• Wyoming Department of Health
• Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health