Back-to-School Physicals and Vaccines: What Parents Need to Know
Dr. James of Kids Central Pediatrics sits down with Channel 8 News to walk parents through what’s required before the school year starts.
As summer winds down, most families are thinking about school supplies and new shoes. But if you have a child heading into kindergarten or seventh grade, there’s something more important to check off your list first: their school physical and updated immunization records.
Kindergarten: One Form, Two Signatures
Before your child can start kindergarten, your school will request a physical form and an immunization record. Many parents assume these are two separate documents, but they’re actually one state form with two signature sections. The top portion confirms the date of the physical and is signed by the physician. The bottom section is the immunization record, also signed by the doctor.
One common source of confusion: schools still refer to a “yellow form and a green form” in their communications. That language is outdated. For the past decade, everything has been combined onto a single state form.
Many schools collect these forms during kindergarten roundups, which can happen in the spring or summer. Your child cannot start kindergarten without this form on file, so don’t wait.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
This is one of the most important things Dr. James wants parents to hear. Most pediatric practices can only schedule 12 to 16 physicals per day, and those slots fill up fast. When every kindergarten and seventh-grade family calls in the week before school starts, there simply aren’t enough appointments to go around. Schools won’t make exceptions. If the form isn’t submitted, your child will be held out of school until it is.
Book your appointment early.
Seventh Grade: A New Round of Vaccines
Seventh grade is the other major checkpoint. Kids receive their kindergarten vaccines at ages 4 to 5, and then don’t get another full round until ages 11 to 12, right before entering seventh grade.
The seventh-grade physical requires the same state form as kindergarten, and at that visit your child will typically receive:
- Tdap (updated tetanus/pertussis booster)
- Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) – first dose in the series
- HPV vaccine – recommended at this age but not school-mandated
The meningococcal vaccine is especially important. Bacterial meningitis is a serious risk in shared living situations like college dorms, and a recent outbreak at a local university resulted in deaths. Many colleges now require proof of the meningococcal vaccine before students can live on campus. Getting it in seventh grade starts the series on schedule.
Pro tip from Dr. James: You don’t have to wait until summer. If your child is in sixth grade, schedule the physical and get the vaccines done during the school year. The form can be submitted and will be on file before seventh grade even begins.
Sports Physicals: Don’t Forget Everyone Else
For kids not entering kindergarten or seventh grade, sports physicals are likely on your radar. Many private schools require a physical for all students, whether they compete in a sport or not, and most set a July deadline. Check with your school now so you’re not scrambling.
The Bottom Line
Summer is the busiest season for well visits and physicals at your pediatrician’s office. Appointments go fast. If your child is heading into kindergarten or seventh grade, call Kids Central Pediatrics now to get on the schedule and make sure they’re cleared to start the school year on day one.
