Can I Delay My Child’s Well Exam for a Few Months?

After we’ve seen what can happen with a global pandemic, we’re encouraging everyone to stay up-to-date on regularly scheduled immunizations, including the latest shots for COVID-19.

Regular Well Care, On Time = Healthy, Happy Kids

We’ve been through epidemics before (remember H1N1? Bird flu?). Nothing we saw before was nearly as serious and widespread as COVID-19, but we’ve learned from each of these epidemics. Delaying preventive care even for a few months only makes things worse if there’s a widespread virus in the community. Here’s why:

• Well visits are critical to make sure infants meet important developmental milestones. If there are any concerns, we want to address them as quickly as possible. Babies grow so fast and their needs can’t wait. If there’s an outbreak of a serious illness and some vulnerable babies and children need to stay home for protection, we want that child to be up-to-date on all wellness exams and vaccinations.
• During every season there’s some virus that is spreading quickly and anyone can get sick. Staying up-to-date on all preventive exams and vaccinations will ensure your child can ride out the “sick season” with as much protection as possible.

• Immunizations must continue on schedule to prevent community outbreaks of serious illness. Even though we have the most recent COVID virus on our minds, let’s not forget about the many vaccine-preventable illnesses and diseases we’ve tackled successfully to help millions stay well (measles, mumps, rubella, diptheria, chicken pox). We shouldn’t leave our children and the community vulnerable to serious, preventable diseases.

• Well visits also help us uncover new health issues since your last check-up. If we delay care, a small problem could turn into a big one.
• Many of our patients have health needs that require ongoing care. Managing those needs is always important, but especially critical during the spread of a virus in the community. We want to make sure these kids stay well and don’t suffer any health setbacks during this time—especially the kind that could land them in the emergency room. Hospital resources can be stretched thin when there’s a lot of illness spread around.

Think of well-exams as insurance for preventing illness. Staying on track with your child’s wellness schedule is the best thing you can do to keep them healthy and happy.