In a few weeks, children throughout the Pine Belt will be returning to school. During this preparation time, parents are stocking up on school supplies and new clothes, but South Central Regional Medical Center is reminding parents and guardians to check their child’s immunization record. Pediatrician, Grant Saxton, MD, at South Central Pediatrics, discusses vaccine requirements for school entry, why vaccinations are used and how they protect children.

Grant Saxton, MD
Pediatrician
South Central Pediatrics

“In the state of Mississippi, children need to keep vaccinations up to date for school entry. For those entering pre-kindergarten and kindergarten or who have never attended a public school before, we start by offering vaccines for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP), Polio, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) and Chickenpox.”

Following entry to elementary school, the next set of vaccinations are due when a child enters seventh grade. “Mississippi state law requires that you have a Tdap booster. This is for protection from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, which is known as whooping cough,” said Dr. Saxton.

According to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), childhood immunizations have dramatically improved the health and survival of children in Mississippi ever since polio vaccinations began in 1955. Today, diseases like diphtheria, polio, rubella and pertussis that once killed or disabled Mississippi children are now almost completely eliminated, thanks to widespread childhood immunization.

The MSDH reports that immunizations provide a high level of protection for your child at a very low risk. However, mild reactions such as temporary discomfort or low fever are possible. Serious or dangerous reactions are very rare: about 1 in one million vaccinations or fewer. The risk of serious illness from immunizations is far lower than the risk of illness from the diseases they prevent.

Dr. Saxton states, “Our goal as Pediatricians is to protect infants and children from preventable illnesses that can be debilitating and/or deadly. To have a vaccine to prevent these illnesses is excellent. I always tell people one of the best things I do on a daily basis is educate parents. Teaching parents about their children’s healthcare, immunizations and other risks, help develop children into healthy, young adults.”

Back-to-school vaccines are available at Pediatric offices – such as Ellisville Pediatric Clinic and South Central Pediatrics – but there are other medical offices that offer the same service. “Primary care clinics, local health departments or a family medicine clinic most likely stock vaccines that children are required to receive,” said Dr. Saxton. “Urgent care or walk-in type medical offices do not typically stock vaccinations for children.”

To learn more or to schedule vaccinations at a South Central Pediatric office, visit scrmc.com or call:

Ellisville Pediatric Clinic – 1203 Avenue B, Ellisville – 601-477-3550

South Central Pediatrics – 1002 Jefferson Street, Laurel – 601-649-3520