With the school year soon approaching, I want to make sure my daughter is
healthy and ready for school, so I turned to the medical experts to learn more about immunizations and checkups. Here are some things to check off your list before sending your child back to the classroom.
Schedule a Checkup or Well Visit
If your child has not already had their annual checkup, it’s important to schedule one so that they can remain healthy throughout the school year. During this visit, you and your child can also discuss any mental health concerns.
Dr. Damon Korb, a developmental behavioral pediatrician, and author of “Raising an Organized Child,” says, “Think of going back to school the same way that you would have any year [of the child’s life] but with perhaps more importance. We do not want to miss a potential problem to avoid another. Children should get all of their normal well-child care visits and immunizations.”
Immunizations and Flu Shots
Dr. Korb recommends referring to the immunization schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to make sure your child is up to date.
Sumana Reddy, M.D., of Acacia Family Medical Group, says that everyone should make sure that they get an annual flu shot. Flu shots are normally available starting
in September.
As of July 1, there were 253 influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported during the 2024-25 flu season — the highest of any non-pandemic flu season since the condition became reportable in 2004, the CDC states.
And 90% of those deaths occurred in children not fully vaccinated against
influenza (among those who were eligible to receive the vaccine and whose vaccine status was known).
Unlike most vaccines, you need to get the flu shot each year for it to be effective
since the strain of flu often changes. If you don’t have insurance, vaccines are provided for free by doctors through the federally-funded Vaccines for Children (VFC). This program provides vaccines to children who might not be vaccinated because their family is unable to pay. The vaccines are available at private physicians’ offices and public health clinics registered as VFC providers.
And if you do have insurance, there should not be a copay for receiving the vaccine.
“The Affordable Care Act requires private insurance companies to pay in full for vaccines recommended by the CDC,” Dr. Sumana says, though there might be some insurance companies that are exempt, so check with your insurance company about coverage before getting your vaccine.
Eye Health
Children may be unaware that their vision isn’t normal. This may lead to them feeling frustrated about being unable to see the words in a book or on the board in class
and cause them to act out.
The CDC recommends that children’s eyes be checked regularly by an eye doctor or pediatrician. Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is the most common cause of vision loss in children and can be treated if caught early between the ages of 3 to 5 years.
The American Optometric Association estimates that 80% of a child’s learning
happens through observation. Most in-class teaching is done with visual display.
Oral Health
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a visit to a dentist for an initial checkup by the time a child turns 1 year old. According to the CDC, tooth decay (cavities) is one of the most common chronic diseases for kids from ages 6 to 19. Research studies found that children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who have good oral health.
Fluoride can prevent about one third of cavities in baby teeth. If your town water does not contain fluoride, you can ask your pediatrician or dentist to prescribe fluoride, which is typically taken in pill form once a day.
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your Teen Magazine and many other publications. You can find her at Bluesky: @CherylMaguire.
