Live Well 8: Back to school vaccinations

As soon as school let out for the summer, Dr. Michael Pichichero's office in brighton has been busy.

"Parents have been getting their summer physicals as soon as school was out, and that will continue and intensify throughout the month of August," says Pichichero who is also the head of pediatric research at Rochester General Hospital.

It's not too early to start thinking about back-to-school vaccinations because it can be a big list for those just entering school.

"And many of those vaccinations will involve a booster to DPT, diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella."

In fact, there's a new law this year for children entering kindergarten.

"You have to have two chicken pox shots before you enter Kindergarten so there also will be that shot," says Dr. Pichichero.

Six graders will also need vaccinations; boosters for tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. Contrary to popular belief the vaccination for cervical cancer, Gardasil, is not a state-mandated vaccination, it is optional.

Additionally this year, the flu shot will be more important than ever.

"We fully expect that both the regular flu and the swine flu will be in Rochester and in the Monroe County area as soon as flu season starts," says Pichichero.

The first seasonal flu shots arrived in Rochester pediatric offices this week. Children will get two shots for the seasonal flu this year, a regular shot followed by a booster.

"We're going to start vaccinating for the regular flu next week," says Pichichero.

The H1N1 vaccination is still under development, it is scheduled to arrive in the Fall.

"We don't expect that to be here until October so you're going to have many individuals this year receiving three flu shots," says Pichichero.