Well-Child Visits During COVID-19

Close up of a pediatrician examining a baby patient being held by its mother

Well child visits play an important role in your child’s health, of course, but the COVID-19 outbreak has made it difficult to maintain these visits. If you are like many parents, it has been challenging to get in the 8 well child appointments before your baby is 15 months old.

During well child visits, children receive a series of immunizations to protect them from a number of preventable illnesses. The vaccinations babies receive in their first 15 months protect them from 16 serious and potentially harmful or even deadly diseases. These vaccinations protect babies from Hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis), as well as from polio, rotavirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and pneumococcal. Children also begin receiving yearly influenza vaccinations at about 6 months of age.

Has COVID-19 caused you to fall behind in your baby’s immunization schedule? Don’t worry, but do take action. Consult with your pediatrician to create an immunization schedule that brings your child up to date quickly.

How Parker Pediatrics is Moving Forward

These periodic visits are even more important now than ever. While COVID-19 rates among infants is relatively low, statistically speaking, children with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness compared with children without such conditions. Well child visits give your pediatrician an opportunity to check up on your child’s physical, emotional and social wellness, all of which can be affected by the pandemic. These visits also provide you with a chance to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about your child’s overall health.

The relationship you and your baby develop with your pediatrician is important to your child’s well-being, especially during the pandemic when you may have questions or concerns about preventing the spread of coronavirus.

During your well child visits, your pediatrician can provide tips to help protect your baby and the rest of your family from COVID-19. Your pediatrician can also advise you on what you should do if your baby has symptoms of COVID-19.

Tips for Well Child Visits during COVID-19

Your safety and the safety of your child is of utmost concern during the pandemic, as is the health and safety of our staff. To help protect everyone from coronavirus, we suggest the following tips:

  • Contact your pediatric office to find out if they have any special protocols you need to follow to reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Practice social distancing whenever possible before, during, and after your well child visit
  • Wear a mask
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Speak with your pediatrician about any concerns you may have about COVID-19 and your baby

For more information on well child visits during COVID-19 pandemic, consult with your pediatricians at Parker Pediatrics.