IMMUNIZATIONS

Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from many infectious diseases. By  staying current on the recommended vaccines, people can protect themselves from life-threatening infections.

Wisconsin has a student immunization law that requires students to have certain immunizations by the time they enter school. This law can change from year to year depending on what vaccines are recommended. Examples in recent years are the requirement of Hepatitis B vaccine and the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. Parents have the ability to sign a personal conviction waiver if they do not believe in immunizations or students can have a waiver for health or religious reasons. Daycare facilities are also required to have immunization dates for children at their facility.

Colleges also require students to have proof of certain immunizations. This can vary from school to school so you need to check with the particular college. Most states recommend that college freshman have the meningococcal vaccine. College freshman, particularly those that live in dormitories, have a slightly increased risk of the disease.

Immunizations are not only for children. Adults also need protection from these vaccine preventable diseases. Adults should have a booster dose of Td (tetanus and diphtheria) every ten years. If an adult has never had the vaccine, they will need a primary series of three tetanus shots followed by a booster dose every ten years.

Influenza vaccine is strongly recommended every fall for all people age 50 and over, for people six months of age and older who have chronic diseases, and for their close contacts. Children 6-23 months of age and pregnant women are considered at risk for complications of influenza and are encouraged to receive the influenza vaccine.