As students head back to school soon — whether in person or online — parents are reminded that they must have their immunizations up to date. That includes all ages from elementary school through the college years.

Both West Virginia and Ohio require students to be vaccinated prior to entering the classroom.

Lee Ann Smith, a registered nurse with the Belmont County Health Department, reminds parents that children in preschool and kindergarten need to be up to date on their immunizations before entering the classroom.

All kindergarten students are required:

n To have their booster shots (DTAP, polio, MMR and Varicella (chicken pox). These vaccines are to be completed after the fourth birthday and are required for enrollment in kindergarten.

Students entering seventh grade need the TDAP and the first of two meningitis vaccines. The second meningitis vaccine should be given upon entering the 12th grade. However, Smith said children can receive the second dose at age 16.

While it is not required, college students are advised to get the vaccine against Meningitis B, another not so common virus.

“While it is not as common, it is every bit as deadly. It comes on quickly with flu-like symptoms and parents aren’t at college to see this. Things can go downhill in 24 hours. I think this will be mandatory in the future,” Smith said.

Belmont County Health Department will give immunizations by appointment only due to COVID-19. Call 740-695-1202, ext. 119.

The Monroe County Health Department will give immunizations by appointment by calling 740-472-1677. Harrison County Health Department also offers immunizations by appointment; call 740-942-2616. The Jefferson County Health Department offers immunizations Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Friday by appointment. Call 740-283-8530.

In West Virginia, Ohio County school officials have sent reminders to parents regarding the need to update their children’s immunizations and physical checkups, including dental exams. Those documents should be faxed or dropped off at their child’s school this month.

West Virginia schools are scheduled to start classes on Sept. 8. Schools in Ohio will set individual start dates, some as early as Aug. 25.

The Ohio County Health Department in Wheeling, gives immunizations on Wednesdays only by appointment. However on Wednesday, an employee said the department is out of the childhood vaccines for back-to school. The vaccines have been reordered Call 304-234-3682.

The Brooke County Health Department provides immunizations from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays by appointment. Call 304-737-3665. The Hancock County Health Department offers immunizations by appointment only by calling 304-564-3343.

The Marshall County Health Department offers immunizations by appointment. Call 304-845-7840.