As summer winds down and backpacks come out of storage, it’s time to prepare for a successful school year—starting with your child’s health. From updated immunizations to annual physicals and healthy habits, back-to-school season is the perfect time to prioritize your child’s well-being.

Family Medical Centers is here to help ensure your child is healthy, protected, and ready to learn.

Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations

Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to keep children healthy and prevent the spread of contagious diseases in schools. Among approximately 117 million children born during 1994–2023, routine childhood vaccinations will have prevented approximately 508 million lifetime cases of illness, 32 million hospitalizations, and 1,129,000 deaths.³

Many schools and daycare centers require proof of immunizations before the first day.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), routine childhood vaccines protect against 16 serious diseases—including measles, mumps, polio, and whooping cough¹.

Common required vaccines for school-age children include:

• DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Polio
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Hepatitis B
• Meningococcal (for middle school and high school students)⁴

Your provider can also provide the recommended annual respiratory virus vaccines (flu and COVID-19) which are recommended to protect students, families, and teachers throughout the school year.

Don’t Skip the Physical

Many schools require a back-to-school or sports physical before your child can participate in physical education or team sports. These exams are also a valuable opportunity to monitor your child’s growth, development, and overall health.

During a physical, your provider will:

• Check height, weight, vision, and hearing
• Review immunization status
• Screen for any health concerns or chronic conditions (like asthma or allergies)
• Discuss mental and emotional wellness
• Offer guidance on nutrition, sleep, and exercise
• Back-to-school physicals are a great time to ask questions and ensure your child is ready—physically and emotionally—for the demands of the school year.

Promote Whole-Child Wellness

Back-to-school health goes beyond shots and checkups. Kids thrive when their physical, mental, and emotional health are supported.

Here are some additional tips for a strong, healthy start:

• Sleep routines: Re-establish a regular bedtime to support focus and energy
• Healthy meals: Prioritize balanced breakfasts and nutrient-rich lunches, snacks, and dinners
• Screen time: Set limits and encourage physical activity and outdoor play
• Mental health: Talk openly about stress, anxiety, and social transitions

The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages regular wellness visits to support children’s physical and emotional development through all stages of growth².

Schedule Early for a Smooth Start

Appointments fill quickly at the end of summer! Beat the back-to-school rush by scheduling your child’s physical and immunizations now.

Call your provider or Healthy Kids Clinic School-Based Healthcare at 844-435-0900 to schedule your child’s back-to-school wellness visit today.

References:

Footnotes

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Vaccines for Your Children. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/index.html
2. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision. https://brightfutures.aap.org
3. Zhou F, Jatlaoui TC, Leidner AJ, et al. Health and Economic Benefits of Routine Childhood Immunizations in the Era of the Vaccines for Children Program — United States, 1994–2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:682–685. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7331a2
4. Kentucky General Assembly. (2017). 902 KAR 2:060. Immunization schedules for attending child day care centers, certified family child care homes, other licensed facilities which care for children, preschool programs, and public and private primary and secondary schools. https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/imm/060.pdf