MONROE — August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of vaccines to keeping people healthy and preventing communicable diseases. During NIAM, Green County Public Health (GCPH) encourages community members to make sure their children are up to date on vaccinations before going back to school this fall.
Vaccines help protect kids against illnesses that could make them miss out on important school events, sports, or family gatherings. Cases of several diseases including measles, chickenpox, diphtheria and others have significantly decreased with the development of childhood vaccinations. Additionally, smallpox and polio have been eliminated in the United States thanks to vaccines.
This year, there are new school vaccination requirements in Wisconsin. The changes will help keep kids, staff, and communities healthy, and these updates are more closely aligned with the current nationwide vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The new requirements include the following:
● The meningococcal vaccine is now required for students entering seventh grade, and a booster dose for eligible students entering 12th grade.
● To be exempt from the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, children must have a diagnosis of chickenpox from a qualified health care provider (M.D., D.O., N.P., or P.A.). Parent report of chickenpox disease is no longer acceptable for exemption.
● Chickenpox and meningococcal disease have been added to definitions of “substantial outbreak” for both child care centers and schools to align with CDC definitions.
Additionally, last year, at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) booster vaccine became required for children entering seventh grade. Parents can check with their child’s healthcare provider about what vaccines their children need and when. Learn more about the new school vaccine requirements at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/reqs.htm.
Community members can learn more about vaccine schedules and recommended vaccinations on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/index.html. People can also check their vaccination records on the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR): https://www.dhfswir.org. This registry will show individuals which vaccines they have received, when the vaccines were administered, and what vaccines they are due for. People can also contact Green County Public Health at 608-328-9390 to talk with a Public Health Nurse and ask questions about their vaccine record.
GCPH offers several adult and childhood immunizations. Certain vaccines require individuals to meet eligibility requirements to receive the vaccine at the department. To learn about eligibility or schedule an appointment to get vaccinated, call Green County Public Health at 608-328-9390. Many vaccines are also available through local healthcare providers and pharmacies.
This fall is also a good time for people to get vaccinated against influenza. Everyone six months of age and older should get their annual flu shot in August, September, or October. Community members can visit vaccines.gov to find a local flu vaccine provider. Green County Public Health will host flu vaccine clinics for students at each school in Green County this fall. Parents and guardians will receive information from their child’s school with more details about these flu vaccine clinics.
Visit the Green County Public Health website and Facebook page for more health information and updates from our department.
