When coming back to school, there are many things students need to think about, including buying books and getting settled, but one thing health officials say students must do before coming to school is to get immunized.
With August chosen as National Immunization Awareness Month, it is a reminder of the importance of keeping immunizations up to date, said Pat Vranesich section manager of education and outreach for the division of immunization in the Michigan Department of Community Health.
"It is a back to school time and also a time where we want older adults to think about their immunization status," Vranesich said.
According to Dr. Randolph L. Pearson, senior associate director at MSU Family Practice Residency, getting immunized before college is important for students.
"When you are 18 years old, there has been a long period of time since you have gotten immunized, the last time being age 14 or 15," Pearson said. "You are on your own, maybe even on your own insurance plans, so it is a grown up thing to do."
Joy Maloney, resident nurse and immunization clinic supervisor at Sparrow Hospital, said because students are in a different environment they need to get immunized to protect themselves.
"I have heard that if they are college freshman living in a dorm, they are changing their way of life, they are around more cigarette smoke, possibly drinking more, are under more stress, are changing their dietary habits and are going through a period of big adjustment," Maloney said.
Telecommunication, information studies and media junior Matt Runyan said he was well aware of the shots he needed before he came to MSU.
"I think there are plenty of e-mails to both parents and students to make them aware of what they need," Runyan said.
Keeping immunizations from childhood up to date is another important thing to consider Pearson said, although it is no longer a big concern.
"Physicians are doing a better job of tracking children's immunizations and keeping them up to date," Pearson said. "So now it is rare for someone to come in that hasn't kept their immunizations up to date."
Pearson also said the meningitis vaccine is especially important because it is one students most likely haven't gotten before. He said the required vaccinations are all that most MSU students need, unless they plan to travel or study abroad.
"In other parts of world, for example there are measles, that we have reduced," Vranesich said. "But it's only a plane ride away."
Mary O'Doherty, a travel clinic nurse at Olin Health Center, said that some immunizations required to travel to certain countries can take up to six months, so thinking ahead is crucial for studying abroad.
"Here at the clinic we give them information on the different diseases found in different countries around the world," O'Doherty said.
Between traveling abroad and simply going back to school, doctors and immunization experts agree that keeping track of immunizations and keeping them up to date is important for people of all ages.
"Especially if they are freshmen living in a dorm, they need the meningococcol immunization, the new vaccine that has just been licensed this year. It is similar to the old (meningitis) vaccination, but it has longer anti-body response," Maloney said.
