It may still be summer, but it’s never too early to start thinking about back-to-school immunizations.

Health officials say that vaccination rates are dropping nationwide. They say this is concerning since immunizations are critical in keeping kids safe from preventable diseases.

“Making sure they’re up-to-date on their vaccinations before heading into school is something to start thinking about now, so we’re not caught at the last minute trying to get this all done,” says family physician Dr. Gretchen LaSalle.

LaSalle says it takes a couple of weeks for children to build up immunity after immunizations. She says developing it before school starts helps reduce the risk of the child contracting preventable diseases during the school year.

“Our 4- to 6-year-olds, when they’re finishing kindergarten or first grade, have a variety of vaccines that they need to be caught up on, so they’re prepared to enter school in a healthy way, and not have to miss school due to vaccine-preventable illnesses,” LaSalle says.

She says this includes vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, chickenpox, polio, whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella.

LaSalle says that after school starts in the fall, there will be seasonal vaccines to consider, including the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

“The very large majority of physicians and scientists still stand very firmly behind our traditional vaccines and our seasonal vaccines -- it's the best way to keep kids safe and healthy throughout the school year,” LaSalle says.