In order to protect the health of all students and the general population, West Virginia requires that children attending school be vaccinated before they start. While it is possible to get an exemption for medical reasons, in most cases vaccination is the healthiest and safest choice for your child. Here are the shots your child will need from a doctor before starting school.

Required Vaccinations

1. DTaP

The DTaP vaccination, protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (or whooping cough). A course of four doses is required to complete the treatment. Depending on your child’s circumstances, they may be replaced by DTP, Td, or Tdap shots.

2. Polio

Your child needs three doses of the IPV vaccine to prevent polio, or four doses if a mixture of vaccines is used. Although polio has been all but eradicated in the US through the vaccination of previous generations, our continued protection from its reintroduction relies on continued vaccination programs.

3. MMR

This is another treatment which protects against multiple diseases. Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines require two doses before your child can enter school, a minimum of four weeks apart.

4. Varicella

More commonly known as chickenpox, varicella can be prevented with a course of two vaccinations. However, if your child has already had chickenpox, they are likely already immune, and you may be able to forego the vaccination requirement by providing written testimony of your child’s illness.

5. Hepatitis B

The hepatitis B vaccine must be administered in three doses. Your doctor must administer the last dose when your child is over six months of age, or it is not valid. This vaccine protects your child from serious liver infection and scarring.

If your child is entering school, check with your doctor to make sure their vaccinations are up to date. If not, schedule an appointment with Jefferson Urgent Care medical clinic in Charles Town, WV. In addition to fast after-hours care for Jefferson County residents, they also provide basic family medicine services including vaccinations, physical exams, and tests and X-rays as needed. To make an appointment to see the doctor, call (304) 728-8533 or contact them online.