by RYAN MILEJCZAK
Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care
It’s officially every kid’s favorite time of year: summer break! While going back to school in August may seem a distant priority, now is the perfect time for parents to start getting their kids ready for the first day of classes.
“Before returning to school, it’s important that children address general healthcare needs,” explains Dr. Heather Wardy, pediatrician and Chief of Pediatrics at Central Florida Health Care. “This includes immunizations, annual physical exams, vision and hearing screening, and also management of other chronic health conditions.”
In addition to your standard back-to-school checkups, Central Florida Health Care highlights the importance of screening for other health conditions — such as obesity — during these visits as well as reviewing developmental and behavioral concerns.
One of the most important parts of getting ready to go back to school, however, is making sure your child is up-to-date on their vaccines. According to the Polk County Public Schools website, the following vaccinations are required for students:
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- Polio
- DTP/DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
- Tdap
- Hepatitis B
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
- Varicella
Vaccination requirements can vary, and the exact schedule should be individualized to each child. If your child is behind on their vaccines, Central Florida Health Care can help set a catch-up schedule.
As many know from their own days of childhood vaccinations, many children experience anxiety when it comes time for yearly vaccinations.
“Anxiety about vaccines is something we address on a daily basis,” Dr. Wardy explains. “We make every effort to reduce these anxieties. This means doing things like using age-appropriate explanations, utilizing distraction techniques in the office, and providing lots of positive reinforcement.”
Dr. Wardy also encourages parents at home to use clear communication about how vaccines are safe and necessary, while also addressing any of their children’s concerns with empathy.
Of course, children aren’t the only ones with anxieties around vaccinations. For those parents with concerns about vaccines, Dr. Wardy has some advice.
“I want parents to trust their healthcare providers. We’ve been well trained to take care of their children, and vaccines protect not only their own children, but the community as a whole from outbreaks and disease.”
Dr. Wardy encourages parents to start planning early for back-to-school doctor visits.
“Scheduling early, right now in the summer, helps avoid last-minute appointment shortages,” she says. “It allows time for catch-up doses if needed and ensures full immunity before school exposure happens.”
There’s great news for those in or near Bartow. Central Florida Health Care’s Bartow Pediatrics Center is now officially open!
“It offers comprehensive well-child care, immunizations, and health screenings with the goal of improving access for local families as well as providing outreach efforts to underserved populations in the area,” says Dr. Wardy.
“We love being on a team with families and utilizing our summer visits to emphasize the importance of timely and complete health maintenance and immunizations,” Dr. Wardy explains.
“It’s critical not only for individual health, but public health at large.”