JESUP - Buy school supplies. Check.

Arrange after-school childcare. Check.

Make appointment for immunizations. …

As the summer months fade into fall, parents are reminded to check to make sure their children have received the proper vaccinations according to state law.

Dr. Mark Feldkamp of Jesup Covenant Clinic strongly recommends kids get immunized to prevent diseases.

"A vast majority of my patients do end up getting vaccinations but there are some that do choose not to for various reasons," Feldkamp said. Among the reasons are religious beliefs, especially in the Amish communities in which he serves, and extenuating health circumstances.

Iowa law requires children to be vaccinated if they are enrolled in any of the following settings: licensed child care centers, public or private elementary or secondary schools or home schools. However, medical and religious exemptions may be granted, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health Web site.

"We do see people that have concerns," Feldkamp said. "I think as medical professionals we want to have the best information and put that forward and as such, I really strongly advocate immunizations because a lot of these illnesses would come back if we didn't vaccinate."

Parents concerned about the immunization process should talk with their family doctor.

"Some parents are concerned about the number of antigens their children are exposed to with a typical shot series," Feldkamp said. "What I usually tell them is that commonly their children are exposed to a far greater number of antigens when they play in the Iowa dirt, which is a veritable tropical rainforest of antigens and organisms."

Holly Hintzman of Cedar Falls chooses to have 4-year-old Will immunized at Dr. Stephen Riggs' office within the Covenant Medical Arts Building.

"I feel that it's very important to protect him from all of the diseases that can be contracted when you don't immunize your children," Hintzman said. "We want to keep him safe and keep other children around him safe as well."

Hintzman said her son was prepared for his shots, making the experience less scary.

"He watched a 'Blue's Clues' video of Blue getting a shot, and Blue's doctor said 'one, two, three, pinch.' So when he pretended to be a doctor at home and give me a shot it was 'one, two, three, pinch,'" she said.

She said fearful parents make for fearful children when it comes time for vaccinations.

"I think that as a parent if you have some apprehension and you're fearful, your kids sense that," she said. "But if you show them it's going to be OK and it's not going to be a big scary thing, I think they cope with it much better."

More information about immunizations can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at www.cdc.gov.

Contact Bethany Pint at (319) 291-1587

or bethany.pint@wcfcourier.com.