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An ounce of prevention By Lia Tremblay | Cape Fear Valley Health W e all want the best for our children, but the politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled suspicion of vaccines in general. So, are vaccinations in the best interest of our kids? Dr. Warren Johnson, a pediatrician at Hoke Primary Care, says the past two years have complicated the vaccine conversation with his patients. "Some parents bring up concerns about risks," he says. "But those perceived risks often come from inaccurate information, and misinformation can spread very quickly on social media." Johnson says he can relate to some of the concerns parents raise, and he welcomes the opportunity to put their minds at ease. "It's an important conversation to have," he says. "And families will often change their minds based on trust and open communication. Some practices will say something like, 'We won't treat your children unless they're vaccinated,' and I think that can do more harm than good." North Carolina currently requires that children be up-to-date on more than a half-dozen immunizations before beginning kindergarten, and there are additional requirements before the start of the seventh grade and senior year. "The kindergarten visit is a big one," says Dr. Johnson. "They'll need at least four different vaccines to be ready for school." That doesn't necessarily mean four different shots, however. Because different vaccines can be combined into a single dose, it takes just two "pokes" to get the job done with all four vaccines. Dr. Warren Johnson is a pediatrician at Hoke Primary Care. "The important thing is to stay up-to-date with well- child visits," Johnson says. "Those encompass a lot of the things we need to talk about for school readiness, including the vaccines they should be getting along the way." Beyond the vaccines required for school attendance, Johnson says, there are others that he recommends. The HPV vaccine is recommended for preadolescents and adolescents, for example, and, except in rare circumstances, he recommends that children receive the vaccines against COVID-19 and the flu. "We never want to force anything, but I do encourage the flu and COVID-19 vaccines,'' he says. "Even if a child is not at high risk for developing a severe illness after contracting the flu or COVID-19, we don't want them spreading it to people who are high risk. And, of course, we don't want them missing days of school or activities if they don't have to.'' If you have questions about the safety of vaccines, speak with an expert, such as your child's pediatrician. To learn more about North Carolina's required vaccinations for students, visit immunize.nc.gov. n

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