Vaccinations can be scary for students, confusing for caregivers and wounding for the wallet. Here are some expert tips to make this year’s back-to-school madness run a little more smoothly.
What shots does my child need? How is that communicated?
Children’s vaccinations vary by age. Elementary age students’ needs are very different from that of middle and highschoolers. The following shots are recommended for children between the ages of 4-18:
- DTap (Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough)
- Polio
- MMR (Measals, mumps and rubella)
- Chickenpox
- Flu (every year)
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
- HPV vaccine
- Tdap
Monica Mitcham, the school nurse at Herron Prep Academy, recommends parents go online to the CDC’s official website and look through their extensive list. Parents can also call the Marion County Health Department at 317-783-2474 for more information.
While the number of shots may be overwhelming, Mitcham wants parents to understand why students need them.
“Those vaccines not only help against the conditions that they’re being vaccinated against, but it helps to boost their immune systems and help make them less susceptible to other illnesses as well,” Mitcham said.
What if my student is afraid of being vaccinated?
Communicating with your child’s school nurse about fear of needles or shots is very important.
Kim Graham, director of organizing and partnerships for Empowered Families, wants parents to advocate for their child.
“Communicating is very important because your child is very important,” Graham said. “Having the resources to look in the system and see who a child’s doctor is and who their emergency contact is very important for (school nurses).”
Empowered Families works to ensure that the communication is maintained between the schooland the parents.
When it comes to children’s health or fears, communication is vital to help school nurses.
“One thing that I would always point out to students is that it’s okay to be afraid,” Mitcham said. “I would say, vaccinations are just a few sticks … If you wind up with an illness caused by not having vaccines, then you’re going to have a lot more injections and a lot more needles.”
Pediatricians and psychologists recommend the following techniques to help your child with fear of needles:
- Prepare them ahead of time. Tell them exactly what is going to happen, why it needs to happen and what they will feel. Sometimes practicing at home with a fake needle works well.
- Make sure that you and your pediatrician or doctor have a plan. Ensure you know which shots they need so they can all be done in as few visits as possible.
- Distract them. Bring a book, a game, an electronic or a toy to keep them busy in the waiting room and before the shot. The less they look around, the better.
- Reward them. Experts recommend celebrating and rewarding children when they overcome a fear, no matter how small. Taking them for ice cream, to their favorite park or to their friend’s house are all good options.
What if I can’t afford my child’s vaccines?
There are resources available for those who struggle with the price.
“The most challenging thing that I see parents facing is knowing where to go (for vaccines),” Graham said. “If they can’t pay, where do they go?”
The Indiana Department of Health participates in the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, which provides vaccines to children at no cost. The map of the VFC can be found online at in.gov/health/immunization/vaccines-for-children/vfc-provider-map or by calling 800-701-0704.
Here are a few of the clinics listed on the map:
- Martindale-Brightwood Health Center — 317-957-2300 (children only)
- HealthNet Kipp Legacy High — 317-619-5057 (children only)
- Action Health Center — 317-221-3400 (adult & child provider)
- Good News Health Clinic — 317-638-2862 (children only)
- Southwest Health Center — 317-957-2500 (children only)
The Marion County Health Department, 317-783-2474, has options for parents looking for reduced-cost vaccinations. Parents can also find resources through their school if they need more information on community resources.
“It’s very important for families to be involved,” Graham said. “The parent is the first child’s advocate.”
For more information about vaccinations, visit in.gov.
Equity and empowerment: Indiana Black and Minority Health Fair – Indianapolis Recorder
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
