My Health
· 1
My
Health
2011
Teens: x-ams 4 u to ace
Health exams are not just for young kids. Preteens, teens and college students all need
checkups and the vaccines that are part of those yearly exams. Since some vaccines that
younger children get can wear off, older kids need booster shots (extra doses) to stay
protected from certain diseases. There also are certain vaccines made just for preteens and
teens. The PCP can tell you which vaccines are right for your older child. Call your teen’s PCP
to schedule a yearly checkup for your teen. It’s his or her best way to ace life’s exams.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics website: aap.org
A parent’s guide to
checkups and screenings
When your child is born, it’s an amazing event. You take care of your baby and make
sure he or she gets the shots and checkups needed for a great start in life. You’re the
best person to look out for your baby’s health. And that means you need to make sure
that as your child grows up, he or she gets all the checkups (also called well visits)
needed to become a healthy adult.
It’s not just about getting shots or vaccines
Doctors also look at how kids develop as they grow. Your child should get checkups at
these ages:
•
Birth
•
3 to 5 days
•
By 1 month
•
2 months
•
4 months
•
6 months
•
9 months
•
12 months
•
15 months
•
18 months
•
24 months
•
30 months
•
Ages 3 to 21: at
least one well
visit per year
Why checkups matter
Newborn babies are immune to some diseases, but that protection lasts only between
one month and a year after birth. And young children aren’t protected from diseases
like whooping cough. Without vaccines, your child’s body may not be strong enough
to fght certain diseases.
Germs are passed from person to person. So getting your child a well visit, checkup
and vaccines, also helps protect those who come in contact with your child.
The good news is that we cover vaccines and checkups
To schedule a well visit, call your child’s primary care physician (PCP), the doctor
your child has for most of his or her health care. Before you see your child’s PCP,
make notes about anything you want to talk to the doctor about. And don’t be afraid
to ask questions during your visit.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics website:
Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care (Periodicity
Schedule)
(2008): aap.org