Health Department encourages routine vaccinations ahead of school year

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is urging families to ensure their children are up-to-date on routine vaccines before the school year starts.

“Vaccinations help keep kids healthy, in school and ready to learn,” Kerry Kernen, Assistant Health Director, said. “Well-child visits and school or sports physicals provide a great opportunity to check with a health care provider to find out what vaccines children may need.”

The required and recommended vaccines for children and adolescents include:

Elementary – State law requires children enrolling in kindergarten or first grade (depending on their school district’s entering grade) and transfer students to have proof of receiving the following vaccinations:

• Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine 
• Three doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (DTaP) 
• Three doses of polio vaccine (IPV) 
• Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) 
• Two doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine 

Middle School/Junior High through High School – Youth entering seventh grade and transfer students must have all of the above vaccinations, as well as a Tdap pertussis booster. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends one dose of meningococcal vaccine at age 11 or 12, and two doses of human papillomavirus vaccine, which prevents various cancers. A second dose of meningococcal vaccine is recommended at age 16.

College – The CDC recommends a meningococcal vaccine for first-year college students, particularly those living in residence halls, and those who may not have received their second dose at age 16. The vaccine helps prevent bacterial meningitis among other serious illnesses.

Child Care/Pre-K – Children enrolled in licensed child care and school-based pre-K programs also need to be up-to-date with age-appropriate immunizations.

The CDC also recommends children ages 6 months and older receive an updated 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available this fall.

LLCHD participates in the Vaccines for Children program, which provides vaccines to eligible uninsured, underinsured, American Indian and Medicaid-enrolled children at no cost or low cost. To learn more, call 402-441-8065 or click here.

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