A parent’s guide to
checkups and screenings
Teens: x-ams 4 u to ace
Health exams are not just for young kids. Preteens, teens and college
students all need checkups and the vaccines that are part of those
yearly exams. Since some vaccines that younger children get can wear
off, older kids need booster shots (extra doses) to stay protected from
certain diseases. There also are certain vaccines made just for preteens
and teens. Your doctor and PCC staff can tell you which vaccines are
right for your older child. Call your teen’s PCC to schedule a yearly
checkup for your teen. It’s his or her best way to ace life’s exams.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics website: aap.org
2011
When your child is born, it’s an amazing event.
You take care of your baby and make sure he
or she gets the shots and checkups needed
for a great start in life. You’re the best person
to look out for your baby’s health. And that
means you need to make sure that as your
child grows up, he or she gets all the checkups
(also called well visits) needed to become a
healthy adult.
It’s not just about
getting shots or vaccines
Doctors also look at how kids develop as
they grow. Your child should get checkups at
these ages:
•
•
Birth
•
•
3 to 5 days
•
•
By 1 month
•
•
2 months
•
•
4 months
•
•
6 months
•
•
9 months
•
•
12 months
•
•
15 months
•
•
18 months
•
•
24 months
•
•
30 months
•
•
Ages 3 to 21:
at least one well
visit per year
Why checkups matter
Newborn babies are immune to some diseases,
but that protection lasts only between one month
and a year after birth. And young children aren’t
protected from diseases like whooping cough.
Without vaccines, your child’s body may not be
strong enough to fght certain diseases.
Germs are passed from person to person.
So getting your child a well visit – checkup and
vaccines – also helps protect those who come
in contact with your child.
The good news is that we cover
vaccines and checkups
To schedule a well visit, call your child’s
primary care clinic (PCC), the place your child
has for most of his or her health care. Before
you go to your child’s PCC, make notes about
anything you want to talk to the doctor about.
And don’t be afraid to ask questions during
your visit.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics website: Recommendations for
Preventive Pediatric Health Care (Periodicity Schedule) (2008): aap.org