Public health officials are urging parents to protect their children and those around them for in the upcoming school year by making sure their children's vaccinations are complete.

According to staffers, this year in our state under-immunized children have been responsible for several outbreaks of measles, chickenpox and pertussis ("whooping cough.")

"Immunizations are a very safe and effective way to keep children healthy and in school," said Dr. David Fleming, director and health officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "Whether you're a parent enrolling your child in school or a student entering college, you should make sure all immunizations are up to date."

Besides increasing the risk of getting a disease, a child who is not fully immunized may be excluded from attending school or childcare during an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease, possibly lasting weeks.

A child with a vaccine-preventable illness can also infect others without vaccine protection, like those with a weakened immune system, pregnant women or infants too young to be completely protected by vaccines.

Some school grades have new vaccine requirements:

Students entering sixth and seventh grade must receive the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine. This vaccine is better than the tetanus booster (Td) because it also protects older kids against pertussis, according to public health officials. Young children receive a vaccine (DTaP) that prevents the same diseases, but protection starts to wear-off in the early teen years. Reducing pertussis in teens and adults lowers the risk of pertussis in infants, for whom the disease can be life threatening.

Children beginning first, second, and sixth grades must get the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine or document that they have had the disease. Kindergarteners need two doses of the vaccine.

For the complete vaccination schedule, visit: www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/school.htm.

Requirements or recommendations for college students vary by institution. Check directly with the colleges.

Be sure to check your child's immunization record for any missing doses. If you want to vaccinate your children, you can use any of the following options:

A regular health care provider

Public Health immunization clinics www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/clinics.htm

One of the special back-to-school immunization clinics in King County www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/ImmClinicsforBacktoSchool2008.pdf

For more information, call the Public Health Hotline at 206-296-4949 or visit www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/school.htm. Remember to bring your shot records to all clinics.

Parents or legal guardians have the right to choose not to immunize their children, based on medical, religious or philosophical reasons. Parents or legal guardians must sign the appropriate box on the Certificate of Immunization Status form to exempt their child from receiving vaccines required for school entry.

Health staffers say there is a risk, however, when choosing against vaccination. In addition to the potential risk of becoming infected with a vaccine-preventable disease if exposed to the illness, a child who is not fully immunized may be excluded from attending school or childcare during an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease.