The COVID-19 pandemic has upset our way of life in Tennessee, in our country and around the world.In recent months, orders to stay at home, disguised and social estating measures have created a new normal, and we have all suspended activities to lessen the spread of the virus, but one activity you should not stop is the annual visit to your child’s doctor.
As we prepare for fall, there is no better time than now to plan for a healthy child and make sure your child’s immunization records are up to date. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “home and shelter-in-place orders” have resulted in minimizing doses of vaccines administered to outpatients, exposing youth to the threat of vaccine-preventable diseases “.
Visits to healthy youth are a must to monitor growth and progression milestones, read about social behaviors, and download scheduled vaccinations to prevent diseases such as measles, polio, and whooping cough. Last year, the United States recorded more than 1,250 cases Measles: The highest number of reported cases in the United States since 1992, most surprising when you consider that 20 years ago, measles was declared eliminated from the United States due to our success in immunity through vaccination.
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And you should not be vaccinated against the flu, which is advised annually through the CDC for all children 6 months and older. Every year, the flu causes serious illness and death. This is vital this year, as it is unclear whether poor health with COVID -19 and influenza at the same time will result in a more serious illness.
Here are some questions and topics families can discuss with their child’s doctor:
Ask which vaccines are appropriate for your child’s age and how to make up for those that have been forgotten.
Learn more about vaccines, the infectious diseases they prevent, the effectiveness of vaccines, and how they evolve and are tested.
Discuss the non-unusual side effects of vaccines for children, which are very mild, such as pain or swelling at the injection site and possibly accompany mild fever or rash.
Find out what additional steps your clinic takes to care for young people safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as committed or urgent hours for young people only, the use of masks, and the maintenance of safe and clean and well-cleaned waiting areas.
You should bring home a copy of the vaccination eBook so you can track your child’s tests and vaccinations, and also order a copy for the school.
Keep in mind that regular appointments with your pediatrician or family circle doctor may be essential to help keep your child healthy.Learn more about preventive care for your child, learn more about vaccination schedules on the CDC’s online page, and scale UHC.com.
Dr. Kevin U.Stephens Sr. is UnitedHealthcare Medical Director at MidSouth.