Is It a Cold, the Flu, or Covid?
December is prime time for seasonal respiratory viruses. As a parent, are you ready to identify the health concerns surrounding your child and other family members from cold, flu, or Covid-19? We’re here to help.
The Importance of Vaccinations during COVID
As the COVID-19 crisis hit, many parents stepped back from taking their children to their wellness exams due to the lockdowns. Because of this, many children have fallen behind on their immunization schedules.
At Dr 2 Kids in Fountain Valley, California, Smita Tandon, MD, wants you to know that it’s important for your child to stay current on their vaccinations. And with a simple phone call, Dr. Tandon can let you know if your child needs any vaccinations. That way, you don’t have to come in unless it’s necessary. Furthermore, Dr 2 Kids has telehealth appointments, so you only need to venture out for medical care when in-person contact is essential.
Fewer children are getting vaccinated
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discovered in May of 2020 that routine childhood vaccinations were dropping in frequency due to the quarantines and shelter-in-place notifications issued throughout the country.
While this was expected to some degree, immunizations declined enough that experts are concerned that the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks could increase. Vaccine doses are calculated carefully, and in some cases, the timing between vaccines and boosters is critical for effective immunization. Delays can make previous injections ineffective.
Vaccinations are still important
It’s understandable to be concerned about potentially exposing your child to COVID-19, and venturing out to visit the doctor is, of course, a decision to be made carefully. However, not getting your child the right immunizations could increase their vulnerability to many diseases, such as whooping cough and measles. If your impression of these diseases is that they’re not very serious, it’s because of the success of immunization programs over past generations.
So far, what we know about COVID-19 is that its effects on children are generally mild, and many children carry the virus without showing any symptoms. It’s still important to teach your child to practice good hygiene to help them avoid getting an infection. At the same time, it’s important to prioritize the regular vaccination schedule so your child isn’t facing other infection-based health risks.
It’s easy to find out which vaccinations your child may need
First, a call to Dr. Tandon’s office can determine where your child is in terms of their immunization schedule. Your child’s history can be reviewed against the recommended immunization ages to pinpoint which vaccines are necessary and when. There’s no need for you to leave your home needlessly to find out if your child is up to date.
Second, telehealth appointments benefit you and your child in several ways. For minor illnesses, a telehealth visit can likely determine if your child needs to see a caregiver in person, or if there’s home care that’s suitable.
Childhood immunizations are one of the reasons why the nation’s children are among the healthiest in the world. And soon a COVID-19 vaccine may be part of the regular immunization routine. Until then, make sure your child is safe from preventable diseases by catching up on missed vaccinations.
To see if your child is current on their immunizations, call Dr 2 Kids today. If they need any vaccinations, you can book an appointment online or over the phone.
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