School is out for summer and the children are excited but right now is a good time for parents to schedule school physicals, especially kindergarten physicals.
Remember any child moving to North Carolina and/or entering a North Carolina school system for the first time must have a physical and must be up to date on all required vaccinations. It is important for children to have regular physicals to make sure they are healthy as well as to make sure they are meeting developmental milestones. Here at Sampson County Health Department, we provide Well Child Checks which include hearing screens, vision screens, developmental screens, blood pressure screens, and measure height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) along with the physical exam.
We have an on-site lab where we can check hemoglobin, cholesterol, blood lead, and provide Sickle Cell testing. Some tests are performed on-site and some testing has to be sent out to other labs such as the State Lab. During Well Child Checks, it is a good time to ask questions or voice any concerns about your growing child. We also have a Sickle Cell Counselor that comes every month and provides counseling for patients with Sickle Cell Trait or Sickle Cell Disease.
It is very important for your child to be up to date on immunizations. We can provide immunizations during a Well Child Check or schedule an appointment through our Walk-In clinic. We enter all immunizations given into the North Carolina Immunization Registry and provide parents with an updated copy and a copy to give to school of the updated immunization record. Children entering school for the first time must be up to date on immunizations. A booster dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine and a dose of Meningococcal vaccine are required for children entering 7th grade or by 12 years of age whichever comes first.
Don’t get caught up in the rush when it is time for school to begin. Call and schedule that appointment today at 910-592-1131 ext. 4001 or 4220. Sampson County Health Department looks forward to serving you — our community. Please feel free to call us with any questions concerning Well Child Checks or immunizations at 910-592-1131 ext. 4247.