Review Immunization Records, Too
It’s hard to think about back-to-school issues while enjoying warm summer days, but the first day of the 2018-2019 school year inches closer every day. Most schools in the area are starting on Tuesday, September 4.
ThedaCare Physicians throughout Northeast Wisconsin encourage parents to schedule their students’ school and sports physicals now to avoid a last-minute crunch. Many fall sports programs will begin practices soon, and those physicals must be completed before the student may begin practicing with their respective teams.
Providers at all ThedaCare Physicians locations in the area are welcoming new patients, and ThedaCare officials stress the importance of the annual school physical. School and sports physicals assess a student’s medical history, health and fitness as it relates to a sport. These exams ensure young bodies are ready for the season ahead and that there is not a medical or family history that requires further attention, providers stated.
Annual school physicals also provide an opportunity for parents and medical providers to review the student’s immunization records to make sure they are up-to-date on all required and recommended immunizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States offers an online graph showing what immunizations should be received at what age for children from birth through age 18. That listing is available at: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html.
The State of Wisconsin maintains a registry of all immunizations an individual receives from birth onward. Parents and medical providers can review that information online at: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/wir.htm.
Establishing a connection with a health provider is vital for everyone, and teaching that to youngsters and young adults is important. School and sports exams are a great way for youth to learn that habit and begin to develop a trusting relationship with a medical provider. School and sports exams complement regular, yearly exams that screen for a variety of health issues.
For more than 100 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,700 healthcare professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose, as well as 31 clinics in nine counties and the ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center in Appleton. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service. For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.
For more information, media may call the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah switchboard at 920.729.3100 and ask for the marketing person on call.
