The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is reminding parents of incoming seventh graders to schedule their child’s well-child checkup. This visit includes a full physical exam and important vaccines, as reported by the Hawaii Department of Health.
Vaccines don’t just protect one child—they help keep everyone at school healthy. As kids grow, earlier shots wear off, so pre-teens need new ones. In Hawai‘i, students must have proof of updated vaccines to attend school—no shots, no school. Required vaccines include Tdap, MCV, and HPV, according to the Hawai‘i Department of Health.
Tetanus isn’t common, but it’s serious—it can cause painful muscle spasms and even death. Hawai‘i saw a case as recently as 2019. Diphtheria, which can lead to heart failure and paralysis, hasn’t appeared in the state for 10 years, but it spreads easily in close contact. Pertussis, or whooping cough, is making a comeback, jumping from 3 cases in 2023 (including one death) to 95 in 2024. Meningitis, caused by meningococcus, also showed up in Hawai‘i last year and spreads quickly in group settings. Vaccines like Tdap and MCV help protect against these dangerous diseases, as stated by the Hawaii Department of Health.
HPV is a serious virus that often shows no symptoms but can lead to cancer. Around 85% of unvaccinated people will get it at some point, so it’s best to get the vaccine before puberty. If you’re new to Hawai‘i and enrolling in school, don’t forget the required TB clearance form. The American Academy of Pediatrics says they help track your child’s growth, catch health problems early, and keep everything on track, as per the Hawaii Department of Health.
The Hawaii Department of Health wants parents to call their child’s doctor and set up appointments now. If you’re not sure where to start, call Aloha United Way at 211 for help finding care. For full details on Hawai‘i’s school vaccine rules, visit www.VaxToSchoolHawaii.com.
