You can add a back to school physical to your August to-do checklist. If your child skipped their annual doctor’s visit last year because they were mostly virtual, you can’t get away with it again this year. Why? Because school is now in-person and you want your child to get a FULL physical to make sure they’re ready for the school year.

Whether they decide to play a school sport or need updated vaccinations, a physical will cover all of that. It’s more comprehensive than a sports physical or coming in for a tetanus shot. A Physical will help evaluate their overall health.

AFC Urgent Care Vernon is here to check your little one in for a back to school physical.
Back to school physicals will help build a medical history for your child
Are they planning on playing a school sport? Are they physically healthy? What about their overall well being? A FULL physical will cover all of this. And no, a sports physical will not replace a full physical. But, you can have both done all in the SAME visit.

Getting your child a back to school physical will help build up a report on their overall health. If they plan on playing a fall sport, they can have their physical fitness tested during their physical. A full physical will help determine if they have any physical limitations like asthma or any weight issues. This is important because if they need medical attention or a prescription for an inhaler to keep with them while they participate in sports, they have everything on file.

In addition to this, a full physical will look into things unrelated to sports like vision, hearing, lab testing and immunizations.
A physical will check to see if your child is up to date with their immunizations
Unrelated to school sports, a full physical will also dive into your child's vaccine history. Renewing immunizations prior to going back to school will help your child prepare for potential health risks. As kids will be back in-person the risk for spreading germs and colds will go up.

Everyone has a vaccine schedule (ages 0-18). It is important to stay up to date so your child can build immunity and protect others who are at high risk of getting sick.

Children and adolescents usually require these vaccines when going to elementary to high school:

● Influenza
● Meningitis
● hepatitis B
● Tetanus
● Diphtheria
● Pertussis

Most college students or incoming freshmen will need similar updated vaccines like the list above, but if you’ve skipped the doctor’s visit, you might need to play catch up.

For more information on vaccine schedules for adults click here (19 and up).

Does my child need a COVID-19 vaccine before going back to school?
At this time, The CDC recommends ages 12 and up to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Although the United States is roughly around 70% vaccinated with at least one of the doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, there are still plenty of people who are not vaccinated.

Also at this time, colleges and universities are taking action on mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for students staying in dorms and for faculty members. Most Connecticut colleges and Universities are requiring the vaccine, especially now with the uptick in the Delta variant. If you’re going abroad, take a look at this state by state list to know if your college is requiring a COVID-19 vaccine

We’ll check you in and check you out at AFC Urgent Care Vernon
There’s no place better to get an annual check up than at AFC Urgent Care Vernon. We are affordable, convenient and we provide quality care to all of our friends and families in the Vernon community.

If you can’t get a physical with your primary care doctor, then come see us right here, right now on 179 Talcottville Rd. There is no appointment needed, and we are open 7 days a week with extended hours on the weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm and weekend hours from 8 am to 5pm. We also accept most insurances.