When making your to-do list to get your kids ready to head back to school, don’t forget the most important thing — immunizations. These should go on the list before new clothes or school supplies — after all, your child will likely be sent straight home if school officials don’t receive proof of immunizations.

Fortunately, the Shelby County Health Department is making it easy on parents by offering back-to-school shots either on a walk-in basis or by appointment during July and August.

The shots are offered for different age groups — those beginning kindergarten must get a “blue slip” shot, while students going into sixth grade need to get a “T-dap” shot, which prevents such illnesses as tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.

Such shots help to stop the flow of illness among children in public schools and help to make the school environment safer for students, as well as for teachers, staff and administration.

We urge all parents to give these immunizations a high place on the priority list. Go ahead and get it done now before early August gets here and you’re caught up in the whirlwind of carpool schedules and after-school plans.

The immunizations are $5 apiece. For more information, call the Shelby County Health Department at 664-2470.