MINNEAPOLIS - College students are headed back to campus soon and, because dorms are a great place to spread germs, they should be up to date on some important immunizations.
Dr. Nancy Waller, pediatrician with Fairview Clinics and University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital said this is the first year the HPV vaccine is being recommended for boys as well as girls.
She said you will also want to make sure your student is up to date on whooping cough and Hepatitis B vaccines.
She said students travelling abroad should get the shot for Hepatitis A.
Waller urges all students to get the vaccine to prevent meningitis.
"Meningococcal disease is really serious," Waller said. "Somebody can be healthy one day and really die within a few days if they're infected with those bacteria."
Waller says it's best to review vaccination records with a doctor, to make sure your student isn't missing important protection, before she or he heads off to school.
Visit the Minnesota Department of Health website for immunization schedules.
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