Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and rubella continue to have an impact on colleges and universities nation-wide.

Caps, gowns and awaiting that high school diploma- teens are closing one chapter of their lives and beginning another. But with the excitement of prepping for college this summer, there is one factor that will hinder receiving that college acceptance letter. "In preparation for college you've got to make sure you have all those child immunizations as well as all the recent recommended series," says Family Physician Herbert Pegues.

Dr. Pegues also claims a lot of students are unaware of which immunizations they've already had. The importance of having those immunizations does not stop in primary school either. "Turns out that most students between 11-19 believe that immunizations are for babies and younger children when in fact between the ages of 11-19 have not gotten the appropriate immunizations."

There's one reason to get your shots. Schools will often hold admission without having the proper immunizations. "I think the time is now, why procrastinate? By the time your ready to graduate from high school the time is now to start obtaining those records and get the shots, plus avoid the bad rush," advises Dr. Pegues.

So in between all that fun in the sun, why not play it safe and make sure you re not at risk for spreading a preventable disease. Since between five and 20 percent of young adults remain prone to measles and rubella, the American College Health Association have enforced these vaccine requirements for the past 20 years.