Article verified for accuracy by Julie Davis, RN MSN
Maternal Child Health Program Manager & Pediatric Care Coordinator
April 10, 2024
Can you believe there’s only a month and a half left of school before summer break? At Chapa-De, it’s one of our favorite times of the year because it’s the start of Well-Child visits season. There is no better time than spring to do a health “spring cleaning” to get those new kindergartners and big kids ready for school. Here’s everything you need to know about well-child check-ups :
Kindergarten Round-Up
No matter how much you want them to stay small, it’s time to get 4 and 5-year-olds ready to start Kindergarten next Fall. There are a few things that they need to get cleared to be able to go.
Health Exam (Well-Child Visit)
According to the California Code of Regulations, all kiddos going into Kindergarten will need a health exam. This screens for:
- Health history
- Developmental milestones
- A physical examination
- Oral health and nutrition
- Vaccinations
- Vision and hearing
- Major diseases such as Anemia and Tuberculosis
- And more
This exam not only makes sure your child is ready for school but also is a good check-in to see if everything is going well with their growing.
Vaccines
Vaccines are required to attend school unless your child has a medical exemption. All TK and Kindergarten students will need the following vaccines:
- Polio
- DTaP/Tdap (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Hep B (Hepatitis B)
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
These vaccines are safe for your child and help protect children who can’t get them. If you have any questions or concerns about your child getting these vaccines, schedule time with your provider. We are always happy to talk and help you make the best decision for your child.
7th Graders
To move on to 7th grade, middle schoolers are required to show that they have had certain vaccines when they were younger and boosters for some of them. The shots they need to have boosted are:
- Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
This is also a good time for your children to get the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine series if they haven’t yet. Both boys and girls can start having the HPV Vaccine at age 9. When they start the series between the ages of 9 to 11 years old, they are better protected from exposure to HPV and diseases that come from it like Throat and Cervical Cancer.
All Ages
Yearly checkups are encouraged for kids of all ages. This time with their provider is used to check their development, discuss any concerns about your child’s health, and get them updated on any vaccinations they need to keep them healthy in their next stage of life. Be sure to also talk about any concerns you have about your child’s mental health, especially in their teenage years.
Schedule a Well-Child Visit
Let’s get those kids ready for school. We encourage you to download the FREE healow mobile app. With just a few clicks, you can schedule appointments, access your health and immunization records, and even send messages directly to your provider. Use our practice code AHHIAD to connect with us. The healow app is available for FREE download on all Apple and Android devices.
Chapa-De Indian Health Auburn Grass Valley | Medical Clinic
PASSIONATE PEOPLE. COMPASSIONATE CARE.
Chapa-De provides medical care, dental care, optometry, behavioral health, pharmacy services and much more.
Serving all American Indian, Low Income and Limited Income Community Members
