Public Health Urges Parents to Get Kids’ Vaccinations Up-to-Date

Published on August 17, 2022

The Unified Government Public Health Department (UGPHD) is urging parents to get their children’s’ immunizations up to date as they head into the school year. Childhood immunizations are available through your family healthcare provider and through the UGPHD, by appointment. To make an appointment to get your child vaccinated at the UGPHD, call 913-573-8855 for an appointment.

What if My Child is Behind on Immunizations?

If your child is behind schedule on childhood immunizations, contact your healthcare provider or local health department to help you determine how to get your child caught up on immunizations. It’s important to get your children caught up on immunizations to protect their health and to prevent the spread of contagious diseases in school settings.

What’s Required in Kansas?

The state of Kansas requires certain immunizations for schools. Here’s more information on the school immunizations required in Kansas for the 2022-2023 school year:

Vaccine	Doses	Grade levels
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTap/Tdap)	5 doses: given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years	Should be immunized prior to kindergarten. Also required to enter 7^th grade.
Hepatitis A (Hep A)	2 doses: given at 12 months and 18 months	Before entering kindergarten through 7^th grade.
Hepatitis B (Hep B)	3 doses: given at birth, 2 months and 6 months	Before entering kindergarten.
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)	2 doses: given at 12-15 months and 4-6 years	Before entering kindergarten.
Meningitis - Meningococcal-Serogroup A,C,W,Y (MenACWY)	2 doses: given at age 11-12 and 16-18	Required 7^th – 12^th grade.
Polio - Poliomyelitis (IPV/OPV)	4 doses: given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 4 years	Before entering kindergarten
Varicella (Chickenpox)	2 doses : given at 12-15 months and 4-6 years	Before entering kindergarten

Other Recommended Immunizations

The following immunizations are not required in the state of Kansas but are highly recommended by health care professionals for kids going back to school:

Vaccine	Doses
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)	2 doses: given at age 11, or 3 doses if started after age 15
Influenza (Flu)	Annual vaccination for anyone age 6 months or older.
Meningitis/ Meningococcal B (MenB-4C, MenB-FHbp)	2 doses: given at 16 years, 4 weeks apart
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13)	4 doses, given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months
Rotavirus (RV1/RV5)	2 or 3 doses (depending on type of vaccine): given at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months

Are COVID Vaccinations Required for Back-to-School?

No, COVID vaccinations are not required for kids going back to school. However, the UGPHD urges parents to have children fully immunized against COVID-19. It is also important to stay up to date on COVID vaccinations by getting COVID boosters shots for children and teens who are eligible. COVID vaccinations for people ages 5 and older are available at the UGPHD by appointment only – call (913) 573-8815. For children under age 5, contact your family practitioner or pediatrician. You can visit COVID.gov to find other places to get COVID vaccinations in Wyandotte County.

Use the CDC’s COVID-19 booster tool to see when you or your child are eligible for a booster and to stay up to date with your COVID vaccinations:

CDC Booster Tool

For more information about school vaccination requirements in the State of Kansas, visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and click on Immunization Requirements | KDHE, KS. For more information about the UGPHD and hours available for vaccination appointments, visit wycokck.org/health or call 3-1-1.

Community Calendar

Don’t miss the opportunity for a free mammogram this Friday! The event will be at the Kinship Café, located at 719 N 6^th Street in KCK, and will run from 1-5 p.m. Women 40 and older can get a free 3D mammogram, and any adults 45 and over who attend can get a free colorectal cancer testing kit! If you have health insurance, please bring your insurance card. Mammograms for those without insurance will be covered through the Early Detection Works Program. If you have questions, contact Crystal Doran at (913) 742-9059.

Take the Survey – Be Heard!

Kansas City, KS was selected by the League of American Bicyclists (@BikeLeague) as one of five communities to host a Bicycle-Friendly Community Workshop later this fall. Even if you don’t ride a bike, we want to get your opinion! Complete this short survey to help the Unified Government prepare for the workshop: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KansasCityBFCWSS.