Stay Protected

Put the power of vaccines to work for you and your family

As the start of school draws near, it's essential for parents and caregivers to check their child's immunization records and consult with their healthcare provider to ensure they are current on all required vaccinations.

In fact, most states require children receive certain vaccines before enrolling in Pre-K, kindergarten, and secondary school. Here’s what the states in our region require:

Vermont

Massachusetts

New York

While vaccines came under a lot of scrutiny during COVID-19, it’s important to acknowledge that vaccines are one of the most effective public health interventions, preventing an estimated 3.5-5 million deaths every year.

Vaccines work by training your immune system to create antibodies, similar to how it would respond when exposed to a disease. In the U.S. most people receive vaccines as children to protect against these 14 diseases:

1. Polio

2. Tetanus

3. Flu (Influenza)

4. Hepatitis B

5. Hepatitis A

6. Rubella

7. Hib

8. Measles*

9. Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

10. Pneumococcal Disease

11. Rotavirus

12. Mumps

13. Chickenpox

14. Diphtheria

*A QUICK NOTE ON MEASLES IN VERMONT

Many people opt out of vaccines thinking that diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza, and measles aren’t really of concern any more. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a higher number of U.S. measles cases across the country in 2024 compared to all of 2023. Vermont had two reported cases by early July.

But immunizations aren't just for kids. Adults also need to stay vigilant about their vaccination status. Protection from some childhood vaccines can wear off over time, and adults may be at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases due to age, job, lifestyle, travel, or health conditions.

The CDC offers an online adult vaccine assessment tool to help determine which vaccines might be right for you.

Pregnant women should also be aware of the importance of maternal vaccination. Getting vaccinated during pregnancy can help protect your baby after birth by passing on antibodies, providing protection from flu and whooping cough until it's time for the baby's own vaccines.

Vaccines are also important for anyone traveling out of the country. Vaccine-preventable diseases that are rare in the US, such as polio, typhoid and yellow fever, can still be found in other parts of the world. For help determining what vaccines you might need, visit the following sites for detailed information on international health and travel.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Health Notices

World Health Organization (WHO)

For additional information or to schedule travel vaccines, contact SVMC’s Travel Clinic. For your safety, contact the clinic at least two months in advance of travel to ensure you can receive a full course of pre-travel treatments and to allow sufficient time for any vaccines to take effect.

Dr. Marie George, MD is an Infectious Disease Specialist at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT and a member of the Travel Clinic team at the hospital.