With children and teens preparing to go back to school, some parents wonder if they should get their children boosted before they return to the classroom.

Some may schedule appointments with their pediatricians for the upcoming flu season, but Beniza Bastidas is not. The mother of three young children has decided to opt-out of getting her children the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine.

“We're blessed to have healthy children and we've decided [not to]. My 13-year-old had the flu once; he was sick for two days. So it's just a personal preference, but we prefer not to,” said Bastidas.

Bastidas says her biggest concern is the potential for side effects.

“Especially after reading some of these side effects that I have on, especially on boys. Some of the stuff that we've read is regarding like, cardiac issues with young boys. So, my husband and I have chosen not to have our boys vaccinated against the COVID vaccine,” said Bastidas.

According to the CDC and other health experts, there is overwhelming evidence showing vaccinations are not only safe, but highly effective at protecting kids against illness. While the CDC says side effects do occur for some people, they are generally mild and last only a few days and any severe side effects are very rare.

Vaccinations are even more important this coming fall. Dr. Neal Smoller, a pharmacist and owner of The Village Apothecary, says the threat of a so-called “tripledemic” – where COVID, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) simultaneously spike — should make parents think twice about vaccinations.

“Get your vaccination as soon as possible and get protected now rather than wait and try to time things perfectly,” Smoller said. “So, we'll tell folks that are eligible for either a second by availing booster or their first by availing booster to just get it now, get that protection, and then the next time you're eligible, get that vaccine which could be as soon as two months from today. So, the RSV vaccine, flu shot and COVID shot are going to be available at every pharmacy, we believe, by this fall.”

Smoller says he has been getting a lot of questions regarding booster shots.

“A lot of folks are asking me ‘should I take the old booster and get protected now if I’m going to travel or go back to school, or should I just wait?’ And the answer is always based on what your provider recommends,” said Smoller.

Smoller recommends reaching out to your child’s pediatrician if you have concerns regarding shots.