LUCAS COUNTY (WTOL) - Parents and students have a lot to do before the first day of school.
WTOL spoke with a local doctor who on why heading back to the doctor is a must before heading back to school.
Dr. John McBride at Franklin Park Pediatrics in Sylvania said vaccinations are the best tested medicine they have and they save lives.
He said not getting your kids vaccinated makes them more likely to be exposed to illnesses such as measles, polio, whooping cough, meningitis and chicken pox.
"Prior to the vaccine, 40 people a year in the US died of complications from chicken pox," said Dr. McBride. "So something that we view is maybe a benign illness can be very bad."
Vaccinations aren't just for children either. Pre-teens and teenagers should get Tetanus and Meningitis shots, as well as the HPV shot.
Parents like Bridget Notzka whose teens will be starting back up at Whitmore High School said getting her kids vaccinated isn't just about her kids, but other kids, too.
"I think the benefits outweigh the risk and it keeps them healthy and also protects the other kids, too," she said.
Dr. McBride said doctor offices get exceptionally busy right around the time that sports start up, usually around end of July and early August.
Even if your kid isn't planning on playing sports, he said seeing your doctor and getting vaccinated allows you to get a review of your medical history and the chance to go over any other medical concerns your child might have.
"Your child's doctor is one stop shopping for all those needs."
