August is the month to renew immunizations and to get an annual check up. Why? Because a back to school physical will help prepare your elementary and college students for potential health risks in the upcoming year. Our kids are going to be exposed to germs and with a chance of bringing these germs home to family members who are immunocompromised. 

Whether your child is going away to school or is joining a sports team, a physical will be needed to ensure that they’re ready to play and well enough to get through another year of school. AFC Urgent Care New Britain is here to navigate our friends and families through the process of back to school physicals for our elementary and college students.

Getting a physical is important for growth and development

Children and adolescents are two important age groups that need to build medical records. Getting a physical is important so that their growth and development are tracked and in the system. If your child has a health condition like asthma, or weight issues, this can be monitored in the system.

A physical can document all of this so that if your child needs medical attention, there is a record of this information and our medical professionals can proceed with treatment.

Your Child Might Need To Get Vaccinated During Their Physical

Depending on your recommended vaccine schedule, vaccines may be needed during your next physical. A vaccine helps build up your body’s natural immunity to a disease so that it can help prevent you from getting one and or spreading the disease.

By law all 50 states require vaccinations before enrollment unless certain exemptions are met. All schools want your kids to be safe and to prevent any disease that can spread to others. Common vaccine preventable diseases that schools may require are influenza, meningitis and hepatitis B. 

Other disease preventable vaccinations that schools may require for back to school health forms are:

• Tetanus 
• Diphtheria 
• Pertussis

More vaccine preventable diseases required by schools can be found for each state when getting vaccinated. 

If you are unsure of what immunizations are needed,  AFC Urgent Care New Britain can help vaccinate and answer any questions needed if your child is going to school in another state or country.  

College students need their immunizations, too! Specific ones!

Check with the particular school’s Health Services dept’ he/she is attending to find out their immunization requirements; they are not always the same.  Usually the requirements are listed on their website. 

But, the following are the most frequent vaccinations required by most colleges and universities:

• Meningitis 
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza
• Tetanus 
• Diphtheria 
• Pertussis

Last but not least, your child or college student may need to get vaccinated for COVID-19. This includes boosters! Make sure to check in with your child’s school so that you can check off “COVID” vaccines on your back to school lists.

Now Accepting Walk-ins And Appointments for Back To School Physicals!

At AFC Urgent Care New Britain you can walk right in for your immunizations and physicals today, no appointment necessary at any of our walk-in clinics. We also offer an online appointment scheduling system in case you want to book an appointment in between last minute vacations or family gatherings. 

We are located at 135 East Main Street, New Britain CT 06051. We are open 7 days a week and ready to treat you. We accept most insurances.