Health experts raise awareness for back-to-school vaccinations

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- School will soon be back in session in Hamilton County and Doctors are urging parents to make sure children are vaccinated.  

“We are needing more vaccinations this year than we have in the past. That is good because it is important if you want your child to stay happy and safe and most importantly healthy during the school year,” said Dr. Stephen Miller, Health Officer for Health Department. 

Children entering elementary and high school throughout Tennessee are due for their vaccines. 

Dr. Miller considers it important that students protect themselves from diseases. 

“We desperately want to catch every children up on immunizations so they do not take any of these infections home to their parents, as well as spread it around the class,” said Dr. Miller.  “They could stay in school and not suffer from absenteeism and be able to be with their peers. and have fun.”

According to the Health Department, Back to school vaccinations have declined in Tennessee.  

Though there may be skeptical of vaccines, 

Dr. Miller says the vaccines that are recommended are completely safe. 

“Remember, most of the vaccines that are recommended for your children have been around and even used by your grandparents,” Dr. Miller said. “That is the vaccines that we have right now and we want to get the children up to date on those.” 

And Dr. Miller believes it’s vital that every student is healthy ahead of the new school year, 

“It is a tough, and sometimes scary place out there, we can not protect our kids from everything, but at least we can protect them from a lot of these childhood illnesses,” Dr. Miller concluded.