Baby Your Baby- Back-to-School Check-ups and Immunizations
It may seem like summer has just started, but school will be here before we know it. In order to beat the rush, Intermountain Health says scheduling well-visit checkups now will ease the stress of getting ready to go back-to-school later.
“End of summer gets really busy, both for parents and our clinics,” said Laura Fitzgerald, MD a pediatrician at Intermountain’s Hillcrest Pediatrics Clinic. “More appointments are available, so it’s easier to choose a time that is best for you.”
“Well-child checkups are just that,” adds Dr. Fitzgerald. “They are a chance to check in and make sure everything is going okay.” She explains that well-child check-ups include physical examinations, tracking growth, and checking for age-appropriate cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral development.
It’s also a great chance to check to make sure your child is fully protected by being up-to-date on vaccines that prevent illness. “Your pediatrician can help you find what you need,” said Dr. Fitzgerald. “Vaccines are also available from your local health department. Even if you don’t have insurance, the Vaccines for Children Program is available to those who qualify.”
Dr. Fitzgerald said children can be protected from the following diseases through vaccination:
- Influenza (flu)
- HPV
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Polio
- Hepatitis A and B
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB)
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Pneumonia
- COVID
In addition to school-required vaccines, the HPV vaccine is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for kids between the age of 9 and 12 years old to prevent six different types of cancer. Influenza and COVID vaccines help protect against severe respiratory viruses that spread around the community during the school year.
“We insist on seat belts, helmets, and other safety precautions for our children to keep them safe,” said Dr. Fitzgerald. “Vaccines are just one more way we work to keep our children healthy and safe.”
For more information visit https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/pediatrics/