With the new school year just around the corner, Washington County Public Health and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) are reminding all parents to ensure their children are up to date on all immunizations. Back to school is one of the busiest times of the year for families, which is why we urge everyone with school-age children to schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your healthcare provider or Washington County Public Health. Keeping kids up to date on vaccines helps them stay safe from potentially life-threatening illnesses such as measles and whooping cough, among others that do still exist and have been seen in our county. If you have questions about your child’s immunizations and what’s required, talk with your family’s healthcare provider. Healthcare providers are there to provide information and help navigate which vaccines are required.