While the start of school is a long way off right now, it’s time for parents to prepare for the big back-to-school day.

This summer is the time to get children all the shots needed to go back through the classroom doors in the fall. All children must be immunized against childhood diseases to enter their public or private school, Head Start facility or even a day care. And, the good news is about 95 percent of parents, according to the Centers for Disease Control, do follow the vaccination guidelines, making those facilities safer for our children.

Required vaccinations for children entering school in Mississippi for the first time include: diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP); polio (IPV); hepatitis B; measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); and varicella (chickenpox). There is also a requirement for children entering seventh grade to receive the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccination. Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) and a meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) are recommended for adolescents 11 to 15 years of age, and a meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) is recommended at age 16 to 18 years.

Remind a friend, neighbor or family member about keeping up to date with vaccinations this summer.