Back-to-School Wellness

August is National Immunization Month, and the first day of school is right around the corner for many Mississippi children. It’s important to be aware of back-to-school immunizations requirements and the care your child can receive from their Network Pediatrician.

Importance of Immunizations

Routine preventative care, such as vaccinations and wellness visits for children should be prioritized as a part of a child’s health routine.

Did you know that vaccines are one of the most cost-effective health tools ever invented? If your child has missed an immunization or wellness visit, now is the time to get their wellness on track. Children and communities that aren’t properly vaccinated face increased risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Use our interactive preventive wellness guide to view services, screenings and immunizations recommended for your child based on age and gender guidelines. Be sure to find your child’s school vaccination requirements, if applicable.

Know Your Network Pediatrician

Your child’s health is important not only when they’re sick, but when they are feeling well. A Network Pediatrician can examine your child’s physical and emotional needs and support their overall growth and development. Attending annual wellness visits with their Network Pediatrician can help prevent problems before they arise. Parents, as a BCBSMS Member, your covered Dependents have access to a wellness visit at no extra cost to you.

At your child's annual wellness visit, your Network Pediatrician can:

• Provide vaccinations for childhood diseases and common conditions that affect children or young adults.
• Determine if your child is meeting growth and development milestones.
• Help your child establish healthy habits and reinforce those ideas to parents.
• Evaluate your child’s hearing and eyesight to catch any problems early.
• Check in with family dynamics and their mental state.

Any child ages newborn to 21 years, and covered on your Benefit Plan, can be seen by your Blue Primary Care Network Pediatrician.

Want to learn more about how vaccinations are developed? The CDC breaks down the journey of developing safe and effective vaccines here.

Sources:

Medline
Department of Health and Human Services