Should My Children Visit the Doctor for Well Check-Ups During COVID-19?
In an effort to keep children safe and free from COVID-19, many parents have questioned whether or not they should keep their children’s appointments for well-child visits and immunizations. The short answer from medical experts including pediatricians, chronic care specialists and members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is yes. It’s more important now than ever that parents maintain their children’s well visits and vaccine plans in order to help protect their children from other infectious diseases.
Well-Child Visits Are Important
The AAP urges families not to forego their routine baby and child checkups during the coronavirus pandemic. While telehealth visits may be okay for older children’s health concerns, doctors can only do specific testing such as screenings for hearing, vision, development milestones, and lab tests during in-person visits.
Don’t Delay Your Young Child’s Vaccine Schedule
According to the Children’s Hospital, children rarely become ill with the novel coronavirus and have more to worry about from vaccine-preventable illnesses. Most pediatricians have planned a schedule for vaccines based on when they are most effective for babies and young children, and many of these vaccinations are not a one-time only shot. Many of these shots need multiple doses and require time for them to work. Since COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, parents especially want to help prevent sicknesses such as flu, which can lead to pneumonia, and whooping cough (pertussis).
At this time, much of Georgia’s child care providers are open or reopening and schools are creating plans for in-person and virtual instruction for the 2020-21 school year. Children are still required, except for religious or medical exemptions, to have their vaccinations complete by certain ages to attend child care and school.
Discuss Your Concerns with Your Health Care Provider Regarding In-Person Visits
If you are concerned about exposing your family to the coronavirus in your doctor’s office, speak candidly with your provider and ask questions. For instance:
Are well visits and sick visits being scheduled at different times during the day?
Are sick and well patients being spatially separated in the office?
Have any staff been diagnosed positive with COVID-19? If so, what procedures took place afterwards?
What new safety and cleaning precautions has the office taken since COVID-19?
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