Valley nurse's back-to-school advice — don’t skip the shots

Angela Roumain, RN, MPH, CPHQ

Submitted photo/Cindy Quinn

Your child’s backpack may be filled with all the right gear, but the best protection they can carry into the school year is a strong immune system.”

Education Solutions

Back-to-school stress deepens in Arizona classrooms

Backpacks are packed, pencils are sharpened and children across the Valley have returned to the classroom. But are they all ready to be there?

While it’s easy to focus on supplies, schedules and school lunches, one of the most important things you can do to set your child up for success is to make sure they’re protected from preventable illnesses.

Vaccines remain one of the most effective ways to keep kids in school and out of the doctor’s office. When children fall behind on routine immunizations, they’re more vulnerable to illnesses like measles, whooping cough and the flu, all of which can spread quickly in a classroom.

What vaccines are required?

Most Arizona schools require students to be up to date on several vaccinations. This includes shots that protect against measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio and hepatitis B, among others. Children entering kindergarten and sixth grade may need additional boosters.

Check with your school to find out exactly what’s required, and visit the Arizona Department of Health Services for a downloadable 2025-26 guide to immunizations required for K-12 students.

Why schedule a back-to-school physical?

Annual physicals give your provider a chance to track your child’s growth, monitor development and catch concerns early. It’s also a good opportunity to address sleep, nutrition, screen time and mental health.

This check-in becomes especially important during the teen years. Adolescents may seem healthy on the outside, but they’re navigating major changes, both physically and emotionally. From sports physicals to conversations about anxiety or social stress, a trusted provider can offer support that makes a difference.

And even though school is already in session, it’s not too late to schedule a check-up!

Immunizations matter for adults, too

It’s not just kids who need to be protected. Adults often overlook their own vaccines, but staying current is just as important, especially if you’re living with a chronic condition or spending time around children or older adults.

Depending on your age and risk factors, you may need boosters for Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), shingles, pneumonia or the flu. Fall is also a good time for COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, making now a great time to check in with your provider.

The bottom line

Your child’s backpack may be filled with all the right gear, but the best protection they can carry into the school year is a strong immune system. Immunizations, regular wellness visits and good sleep and hygiene habits are powerful tools to keep kids, along with their classmates and families, healthy.

Many providers offer same-day and next-day appointments for physicals, vaccinations and behavioral health support, so If you haven’t scheduled your child’s back-to-school checkup yet, now’s the time.

Editor’s note: Angela Roumain, RN, MPH, CPHQ is vice president of medical operations and quality at Denova Collaborative Health, which has locations in Avondale, Mesa, Peoria and Phoenix. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.