Are your shots up to date?

The kids are back in school, everyone's getting back in to the routine.

But here's one thing you might want to keep on your checklist, make sure your kids are up to date on the latest vaccines.

The vaccines are stocked and ready to go at GBMC's Hunt Valley location.

Dr. Robin Motter says back to school time is a good time to make sure your kids are up to date on their shots.

She says that's one of the best ways to protect your kid from getting sick. "Children their immune system is maturing so they have not been exposed to as many bacteria and viruses as adults have so when they're around each other they're sharing these types of viruses, that's why everyone has a snotty nose, a cold, and everyone's getting a little bit of something."

There are several newer vaccines that your child may have missing, including one for pneumonia.

Dr. Motter says, “It used to have 7 strains in it, now the new one has 13. If your child is little, they already received the vaccine."

And your child may be due for another shot of the meningitis vaccine. Dr. Motter says,

"Another new recommendation is for children 16 and above to a get a meningitis booster, so we used to give just one shot from 11 to 12 and now there's a new recommendation to have a booster.”

And Dr. Motter says it's not too early to start thinking about getting your flu shot. "We are coming into the flu season in the next couple of months so whether you're 6 months or older or 65 and older you should be receiving a flu vaccine.”

Adults should be up to date on their vaccines as well. Dr. Motter says, "So there's at least 10 vaccines adults should get as well, so it's always a good time to stop in and ask your provider are my immunizations up to date, am I missing anything?"