It’s time for a new school year, which means it’s time to make sure you have everything in place to help your child with asthma have a safe and successful year. As you gather book bags, lunch boxes and supplies for the new school year, check out these resources from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). We have helpful forms, free downloads and information on keeping your child healthy.

Prepare for the New Year

To get started, make sure you did everything you needed to do at the end of the last school year and over the summer. If you haven’t scheduled doctor’s appointments and gotten school forms signed, be sure to do that right away so your child has a care plan in place with the school as soon as possible.

Take Your Child for Important Vaccines

Children with asthma are at high risk of dangerous complications from the flu and pneumococcal disease. If they have not gotten the pneumococcal vaccine, get it as soon as possible. Make plans to get the flu vaccine this year. It is already available in many areas.

Set Up a New Care Plan for the New Year

You’ll need to have forms on file at the school that outline a care plan for your child. They should cover if your child can carry their own medicines, self-treat, what should happen in an emergency and other provisions to keep your child safe.