Beat the Rush – Think Back-to-School

Summer is flying by! Already we're seeing sale flyers for Anna and Elsa backpacks and 25-cent crayons.

Though we may want to hold onto summer It’s not too early to start thinking about your child’s back-to-school physicals and making sure they are up to date on their vaccines. Come August, doctors’ offices will be jam-packed with last-minute appointments, so get a jumpstart on it now.

When heading to the doctor’s office don’t forget your school’s required physical forms. Also, if you have an updated immunization record bring it along as well.

To get the most out of your visit be sure to talk to the doctor about your child’s growth and ask to see his or her growth chart. This is helpful in assessing a child’s nutrition/caloric intake and helps to make sure they’re on track with a healthy diet and appropriate exercise. 

Some other good things to ask about:

• Diet
• Sleep
• Allergies
• Medications
• Development

Though no one likes to get shots, vaccines are an integral part of keeping kids and our community safe. They work to safeguard children from illnesses and death caused by infectious diseases and protect our kids by helping prepare their bodies to fight often serious, and potentially, deadly diseases.

Vaccines have helped to nearly eradicate many of the disease that were leading causes of death in children only a few decades ago. Here are the main immunizations your kids need before heading off to school.

• When entering Kindergarten your child should receive the following vaccinations:

• Measles, Mumps and Rubella, better known at the MMR
• Polio
• Diptheria/Pertussis
• Chicken Pox

• Chicken Pox Booster if your child has not had two by this time
• Pertussis and Tetanus Booster (TdaP)
• Meningitis (this is not a booster)

A meningitis booster vaccine should be given at age 16 or prior to college if not at 16 since many colleges are now requiring this vaccine. Some schools are requiring a flu shot s well so talk to your school nurse about that.

Dr. Emily Tuerk is an integral part of the Loyola University Health System’s primary care team. She specializes in adult internal medicine and pediatrics and enjoys seeing patients of all ages from infants to older adults at the Loyola Center for Health at Homer Glen. In addition, she is an assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in the departments of internal medicine and pediatrics. When not seeing patients she enjoys spending time with family, biking, running and cooking.