August is the time to renew vaccinations and for students to get their back to school physicals. It’s also a time for them to talk to their doctors about what to expect for sports and the upcoming school year. It’s called an annual school physical for a reason.
Back to school physicals help prepare our little ones for potential health risks. Whether your child plans on joining a fall sport or needs to renew their vaccinations, a physical will cover all of this at AFC Urgent Care Saugus.
It’s time to add back to school physicals on the top of your August checklist!
Review Your Child’s Medical History During Their Physical
Children need to build a medical history for two reasons:
- To track their growth and development
- And to detect early problems and provide treatment when needed
You want your child to have a medical record for things like weight, blood pressure, asthma and other health conditions so they can be monitored in the system. A physical can document all of this, making it easier for them to get treatment if there were ever a future issue.
Missed a vaccine or a past physical? It’s time to review your child’s medical history to make sure they’re up to date on their health!
Don’t Forget About Vaccinations Before You Go Back To School
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 Saugus can help vaccinate and answer any questions if your child is going to school in another state or country.
College students also need their vaccines, too!
Check with the particular school’s Health Services dept’ he/she is attending to find out their vaccination requirements; they are not always the same. Usually the requirements are listed on their website.
Here is a list of the most frequent vaccinations required by most colleges and universities:
- Meningitis
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
Unsure if you need to get vaccinated for COVID-19 when going back to school? Check with your school, college or university, as most are still requiring their students to get vaccinated for COVID.
Can’t Get Physical With Your Primary Care? Visit AFC Urgent Care Saugus
We take walk-ins 7 days a week with no appointment needed. You can also make an appointment online so that you can have peace of mind that you checked off “making an appointment” on your child’s back to school checklist.
AFC Urgent Care Saugus is your go to urgent care that helps your child with immunizations and back to school physicals. We also accept most insurances and we also offer sports injury consultations and other urgent care services for you and your whole family.
