As the school year gets started, many families have worked to make sure their children are ready as well.

Guthrie County Health Services Director Jotham Arber mentions that there are some immunizations that children have to get before starting classes. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio that childhood immunizations that are required include the mumps, measles and rubella, or MMR vaccination, and some other inoculations that they will need at older ages.

“In seventh grade, there’s a requirement for the meningitis vaccination. So you want to make sure that you’re up to date on that. The polio (vaccine), the tetanus (shot), diphtheria, and pertussis, those are all part of the childhood immunization schedule. Those are all things that can spread pretty quickly in group settings, and that’s why they are required for school.”

Arber mentions that there are some exceptions though, as there are some individuals who medically cannot receive vaccinations, as they may be allergic or have other negative reactions. He adds that another exception is for religious reasons. Arber explains that for those that exceptions don’t apply it’s even more important to have the vaccinations, as it can help keep those that cannot receive the immunizations safe and healthy.