Back-to-school season isn’t just about new backpacks and sharpened pencils – it’s also a critical time to make sure your child’s health is in check. In Iowa, children are required to be up to date on their vaccinations before the first day of school. Not only is it the law, but it’s one of the best ways to protect your child and community from serious illness. Pediatrician Dr. Shauna Baker lays out what parents need to know about Iowa’s vaccination requirements and why staying current on immunizations matters.
Required Vaccinations for School
There is little variation between the recommended vaccination schedule and the immunizations required by Iowa law. However, a few vaccines – like rotavirus, HPV and influenza - although recommended by the CDC and your pediatrician, are not mandatory for school-age children in Iowa.
The following vaccines are required for all children attending licensed daycare centers, elementary, secondary, and even home schools:
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis B
- Polio
- Measles
- Rubella
- Varicella (chicken pox)
In addition, students entering 7th grade are required to have one dose of Tdap and one dose of meningococcal vaccine. Students in 12th grade are required to have two doses of meningococcal vaccine, with one dose administered after the age of 16.
“It’s important for children to be up to date on their vaccinations according to the recommended schedule,” says Dr. Baker. “These immunizations work to provide antibodies in the body and protect from illnesses before our body has problems.”
Why does the meningococcal vaccine matter?
In 2017, Iowa began requiring all children entering 7th and 12th grade be immunized for meningitis. Meningococcal disease, a severe bacterial infection that attacks the lining of the brain and spinal cord, is cause by a specific bacteria known to “hang out” in groups of children who “hang out”, specifically pre-teens and teenagers in schools.
The prevention of meningococcal disease is vitally important because the consequences of contracting an infection are so dire. Even patients who receive prompt treatment, meningococcal disease carries a 10-15% fatality rate. In patients who recover, approximately 20% have lasting medical problems including brain damage, permanent hearing loss, and limb amputations.
In the past, a single dose was recommended in late adolescence (ages 16-21) to protect teens entering college. However, in 2005, an earlier adolescent dose (ages 11-13) was introduced to improve immunity before the high-risk years. Since then, vaccination requirements for school-aged children have expanded in many states, including Iowa.
“As a pediatrician, it is my job to keep children safe and healthy,” says Dr. Baker. “Meningococcal vaccine (like all other childhood vaccines) has been rigorously tested and has been proven to be safe and effective.
Students must provide a valid Certificate of Immunization or an exemption (medical or religious) before their first day of school.
Health Screening Requirements
In addition to immunizations, Iowa mandates certain health screenings at specific grade levels:
- Kindergarten requires a vision screening and blood lead test before the age of 6.
- 3rd grade students are required to complete a vision screening.
Protecting Your Community
Daycare centers, schools, and college dorms are among the most common places for disease outbreaks. In Iowa, many vaccinations are mandatory. Iowa law requires immunizations for all children attending licensed day are centers, elementary and secondary schools – even home schools. Your children must be vaccinated according to the Iowa Department of Public Health immunization schedule.
But IDPH only outlines the minimum immunization requirements. There are vaccines outside the law that are still recommended for kids. The Iowa Clinic follows the vaccination schedule recommended by the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics.
Don’t Wait – Schedule Now
No shots mean no school. Make sure your child is caught up on vaccines and screenings by scheduling a back-to-school physical. It’s one of the simplest, most effective ways to keep your child healthy, protect their classmates, and prevent the spread of serious diseases.
ShaunaBaker , MD
Shauna Baker, MD joined The Iowa Clinic Pediatrics department because of the commitment to compassionate patient care, and to bring her practice to her home state of Iowa. For Dr. Baker, forming long term relationships with a child and their family, as well as helping them grow from newborn to young adult is what she enjoys most about pediatrics.
A small-town Iowa native, Dr. Baker practiced in a small practice in Grand Rapids, MI for 25 years prior to returning to her home state. She currently resides in Des Moines with her husband and two kids, where she enjoys camping, cooking, and attending her son’s activities. If she was not a provider, she might have been a pastry chef.