Summer is halfway over and it’s time to start preparing for back to school. Whatever grade your child is entering, they’re going to need a back to school physical. Why? Because physicals are the first step to building your child’s medical history and making sure they’re up to date with their vaccinations.

Whether they decide to play a fall sport or need updated immunizations, 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 from head to toe.

Don’t know what to expect when checking your child in for a back to school physical? AFC Urgent Care West Springfield will help guide you.

Annual Physicals Will Help Your Child Build Their Medical Records

Annual physicals do more than just evaluate your child's overall health. It’s about building their medical history so that in case of a medical emergency, their information will be on a file. For instance, if they need medical attention or a prescription for an inhaler to keep with them while they participate in sports, they will have everything on file.The same thing applies for other health conditions like diabetes or high cholesterol. This information will give doctor’s a better direction to give more prompt treatment in case your child becomes ill.

In addition to this, a full physical will look into things like vision, hearing, lab testing and vaccinations that helps keep them protected from some of the more serious health diseases.

Is Your Child On Track With Their Vaccination Schedule?

Building your child's medical record also means looking into their vaccine schedule. Schools require renewing vaccinations prior to going back to school to help your child protect themselves and others from potential health risks and diseases. 

It is important to make sure your child is getting the right vaccines according to their vaccine schedule (ages 0-18). Staying up to date on this can build immunity and protect others who are at high risk of getting sick.

Here are the most common required vaccines when going to elementary to high school:

• Influenza
• Meningitis
• hepatitis B
• Tetanus 
• Diphtheria 
• Pertussis

Your College Student Will Need Specific Vaccines as Well!

Most college students or incoming freshmen will need similar updated vaccines as the list above, but if you’ve skipped the doctor’s visit last year, you might need to play catch up. Here is a list of the most common required vaccines for incoming Freshmen, but make sure to check with their schools Health Services Department for specific requirements:

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

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

Important: Most colleges and schools are still requiring that students get vaccinated for COVID-19. Please make sure to check with your school so that you’re meeting all of their requirements before the first day of school.

AFC Urgent Care West Springfield Offers Physicals And Sports Physicals

Check in and we’ll check you out at AFC Urgent Care West Springfield. We are affordable, convenient,  and we provide quality care to all of our friends and families in the West Springfield community.

If you can’t get a physical with your primary care for months out, you can visit us any day of the week for your child’s back to school physical. If your child is planning on playing a fall sport, they can get both a sports physical and their annual physical done in the SAME visit!