Medically Reviewed by Shannon Tiebout, DO

Parents know that back-to-school season means getting everything their kids need for day one: school supplies, new clothes and, yes, immunizations. Every state requires schoolchildren to get vaccinated against certain communicable diseases. Luckily, you can get many of your family’s routine immunizations (and catch up on missed immunizations) by visiting your child’s primary care provider, most any pharmacy clinic or your local health department.

Why are childhood vaccinations important?

“Some vaccine-preventable diseases, like pertussis (whooping cough) and chickenpox, remain common in the United States,” says Dr. Shannon Tiebout with Southern Medical Associates.  “On the other hand, because of the efficacy of pediatric vaccines, many diseases that used to be deadly have been all but eradicated. If we stopped vaccinating, the few cases we have in the United States could very quickly become tens or hundreds of thousands of cases.”

Immunizations can also save your family time and money. Your child can be denied attendance at schools or childcare facilities if they are sick with a vaccine-preventable disease. Not only can these illnesses result in prolonged absence from school; they can take a financial toll on your family because of lost time at work and expensive medical bills.

My child is afraid of needles. How can I help ease their fears?

Whether you’re a child or an adult, many people have anxiety about getting shots. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to calm your child and help prepare them for a positive, even pain-free vaccination.

• Words matter. When explaining vaccinations to your child, help them understand that vaccines prevent them from getting sick and missing fun school events like field trips or holiday activities. Describe the experience of getting a vaccine as a “poke” or a “pinch,” rather than a “shot” or something that “hurts.”
• Offer your child something fun to look forward to following their vaccinations. Give them rewards to choose from, such as seeing a movie or going to the park. Your child’s provider may even offer stickers, colored bandages or a treat from the office treasure box for being a brave patient.
• Check with your child’s provider to ask if you can apply numbing cream to your child’s vaccination site or the location of a blood draw.  Numbing cream is a topical anesthesia called 4% lidocaine cream, which you can buy over-the-counter in any drugstore. It’s available for only a few dollars, but it can help calm your child. Simply put a pea-size drop on the skin and apply some dressing. The cream needs to be on for at least 30 minutes and then can be taken off before the needle procedure.

What are the student vaccinations required in South Carolina?

Make sure your child is up to date with all the recommended vaccines for their age and grade level. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDEHC) has created this helpful 2024-2025 immunization list for parents and guardians with school-age children. Please keep in mind that South Carolina state law requires a valid SC Certificate of Immunization or a valid exemption; without it, children will not be allowed to attend childcare and/or school.

To learn more about keeping your child healthy and ready to learn, speak with a pediatrician near you.