Back-To-School Checkups are the Cornerstone of a Healthy School Year

8/9/2021

With homeschooling and hybrid learning disrupting classroom learning for the past 18 months, it’s easy to forget what preparing for a “normal” school year might look like. In addition to buying new clothes and stocking your child’s backpack with the right supplies, an annual physical and the proper immunizations will start your child’s new school year on a healthy foundation.

“Yearly checkups provide helpful insights into your child’s past, present and future, health and wellness needs,” says Jeffrey Montgomery, D.O., Family Medicine. “Routine exams, like annual physicals, provide physicians with vital information pertaining to a child’s medical history and allow them to proactively identify any potential concerns, year after year.”

Children should receive an annual checkup with their physician even if they are healthy. At a checkup, your child will receive a full physical exam including measurements such as height and weight. This is a good time for parents to discuss any developmental, emotional or social concerns with the physician. Most insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover a free annual well-child visit.

Immunizations are another important way to protect your child’s health. While COVID vaccinations are not yet available for children under the age of 12, there are numerous other vaccines parents should discuss with their child’s physician, especially for children beginning school for the first time.

Receiving the right shots at the right time will help protect your child from contracting various diseases and help prevent the spread to others. Talk with your physician to learn on what vaccinations your child should receive and at what age.

“Before the start of each school year, it is essential for children to obtain relevant vaccinations in a timely manner,” says Shavertown Family Medicine provider Devin Carey, M.D. “These immunizations protect your child and support their overall health.”

If you child or teenager is involved in sports or other physical activities, their coaches may require a sports physical before they begin to play. A sports exam is similar to an annual physical exam, with addition of the physician’s review of sports-related matters such as nutrition and injuries. A primary care physician such as a family practice or pediatrician will be able to conduct a sports physical for your child.

If you need help finding a primary care physician, call 1-800-838-WELL or visit cwhphysiciannetwork.net to be connected with one of Commonwealth Health Physician Network’s qualified primary care physicians.

Immunization Guidelines

School requirements for immunizations may differ by school district, so check with your local school district about needed vaccines for school admission.

Guidelines for well-child visits and routine immunization schedules can be found on the American Academy of Pediatrics website.

Vaccines: A Guide for Parents

Vaccine protection far outweighs the small risk of serious side effects. Thanks to vaccines, many serious childhood diseases are rare today. Without vaccines, diseases can return and impact large numbers of the population.

COVID-19 Vaccination
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends use of COVID-19 vaccines for everyone ages 12 and older within the scope of the Emergency Use Authorization for the particular vaccine. COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines may be administered on the same day.

Flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is offered in a shot or nasal spray form. The shot contains dead viruses and the nasal-spray vaccine contains live but weakened viruses. Because flu viruses change each year, it is important to get the vaccine every year.

DTaP vaccine
DTaP protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Diphtheria is a disease that attacks the throat and heart, and can lead to heart failure and death. Tetanus (also called “lockjaw”) can lead to severe muscle spasms and death. Pertussis (also called “whooping cough”) can cause severe coughing that makes it hard to breathe, eat or drink. It can lead to pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage and death.

Td vaccine.
The Td vaccine is used as a booster to the DTaP vaccine, to help prevent tetanus and diphtheria, given at age 11 or older and every 10 years throughout life.

IPV (Polio) vaccine
The IPV (inactivated poliovirus) vaccine helps prevent polio. Polio can cause muscle pain and paralysis in the legs or arms, as well as those muscles used to breathe and swallow, and can lead to death.

Rotavirus vaccine
The Rotavirus vaccine protects against the rotavirus which causes diarrhea, mostly in babies and young children. The diarrhea can be severe and cause dehydration. Rotavirus can also cause vomiting and fever in babies. Children receive a dose at 2 and 4 months of age, or three doses series at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. It depends on what your doctor recommends. All doses should be given before 8 months of age.

MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Measles causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose and watery eyes; as well as ear infections and pneumonia. Measles can also lead to brain swelling and even death. Mumps causes fever, headache and painful swelling of one or both of the major saliva glands. It can lead to meningitis (infection of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord). Rubella is also called the German measles. It causes slight fever, a rash and swelling of the glands in the neck. Rubella can also cause brain swelling or a problem with bleeding.

Hib vaccine
The Hib vaccine helps prevent Haemophilus influenza type b, a serious illness in children that can lead to meningitis, pneumonia and a severe throat infection that can cause choking.

Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
The varicella vaccine helps prevent chickenpox. It is given to children once after they are 12 months old or to older children if they have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated.

HBV vaccine
The HBV vaccine helps prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV), an infection of the liver that can lead to liver cancer and death.

HPV vaccine
The HPV vaccine helps prevent human papillomavirus infection, which can cause cervical cancer as well as genital warts. It is given as a 2- shot series if given around the age of 11 or 12 years of age. The second dose is given 6 months later. Children who start the vaccine on or after their 15th birthday need three shots given over 6 months.

Pneumococcal vaccine
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) protects against a common bacteria linked to ear infections as well as more serious illnesses, such as meningitis and bacteremia (infection in the blood stream).

Meningococcal vaccine
The meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) protects against bacterial meningitis, an infection of the fluid around the brain and spinal cord. It is a serious illness that can cause high fever, headache, stiff neck and confusion, as well as more serious complications like brain damage, hearing loss or blindness.

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians (www.familydoctor.org)

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