This article was written by Amy Requa, MSN, CRNP, Senior Health Manager for the Pennsylvania Key.

 

During challenging times like these, what are families to do about keeping young children up-to-date on their immunizations?  All children still need to have well checks. Families do not want to put their child’s health in jeopardy out of fear. Preventive care is key to children’s success in school.  Also, keeping kids healthy and on track with their well-care visits and immunizations protects the health and wellbeing of all family members, such as grandparents, loved ones who may still be getting cancer-care, and brothers or sisters with asthma or disabilities. 

The good news is that many Doctor’s offices are easing the anxiety of families by keeping kids as safe as possible. New ways of providing quality care for children are making it safe to bring them to the office. This is much safer than avoiding immunizations which prevent many disabling and serious diseases that still exist in the United States and other areas of the world, such as measles, polio, Hepatitis-B, and whooping cough (pertussis) and more.    

Due to more video-visits (tele-health), the typical in-office traffic and waiting times are reduced, so the focus stays on children who need their immunizations.  And of course, everyone wears face-coverings.  Be sure to check the office website or call ahead so you know what to expect ahead of time.

Some creative solutions being used by Doctor’s Offices:

  • Making curbside appointments (drive-up immunizations)
  • Doing parking lot check-in when parents call or text from their vehicle to answer screening questions so kids can bypass the waiting room
  • Exam room check-out limiting crowds at the front desk
  • Doing pre-visit calls/texts to gather information limiting face to face time during visits

Making sure every child gets vaccines for preventable diseases is essential. If young children fall behind on their vaccines, these diseases will have an opportunity to reemerge, causing outbreaks – and potential deaths – in our communities once again. Don’t fall behind on your child’s routine health care — a minor issue today could become a major problem tomorrow!

The short video below shares what families should expect when their child is vaccinated.

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