Vaccinations, physicals should top back-to-school checklist

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Susan L. Davis
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  As the summer months roll along, some parents are beginning to turn their sights toward the upcoming school year.

In addition to the annual back-to-school shopping for new clothes and supplies, parents are reminded to visit to their doctor's office to ensure children are up to date on vaccinations and physical screenings.

Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that most children be vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella.

"All of these diseases can cause serious health problems, and many schools won't allow children to attend unless they are current on all their vaccinations," said Shari Lopatin, TriWest Helathcare Alliance.

Parents should primarily be concerned with updating vaccines for children going into kindergarten, said Kelly Painter, Grand Forks AFB school liaison officer.

"I receive lots of phone calls and e-mails from parents asking what is required to get their kids ready for school," she said. "Immunizations are required for children to enroll in public school, but parents should remember that sports physicals are also a requirement for middle and high school students playing any sort of sport to screen for any precursors to physical conditions or developmental problems."

And even though it's early now, Lopatin encouraged parents to plan for the beginning of flu season as well.

"Nine out of 10 healthy people who get a flu shot or flu mist don't get the flu, and TRICARE covers all age-appropriate vaccinations as recommended by the CDC," Lopatin said.

Lopatin also made a few recommendations to parents before bringing children to the doctor's office.

"Always double-check your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility and Reporting System to make sure addresses and phone numbers are current," she said. "Also, look up your health care provider's information on TriWest.com. If you haven't yet, register for a secure TriWest.com account. Registered users can view all their primary care manager's information online before visiting the doctor's office. Finally, be sure to bring your military ID card to the doctor's office with you. This is what they will use to confirm your TRICARE eligibility."

The 319th Medical Group is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The clinic is closed the third Friday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The immunization clinic offers vaccinations on a walk-in basis. For more information or to set up an appointment, call the clinic's main line at 701-747-5601. For more information on vaccinations recommended by the CDC, log on to www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

Parents may also wish to mark their calendars for an education fair sponsored by the Grand Forks AFB Education Center and the School Liaison Office, set for Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Northern Lights Club. Representatives from local school districts and community educational agencies will be on hand to offer information and answer questions. For more information, call the school liaison officer at 701-747-4484.