Measles cases have been reported in the Pittsburgh area - please see recent communication from the Allegheny County Department of Health and make sure all family members are up-to-date on their measles vaccinations. If you or your child have had potential exposure or symptoms of fever and rash, call before booking an appointment.

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KNOWLEDGE CENTER

School-Age Well Visits: Supporting Healthy Childhood

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Well visit services

Learn how well visits prevent illness and keep your child healthy and focused throughout their school years.

Vaccines for grade school

Seasonal immunizations for grade school

Screenings for grade school

Labs for grade school

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Protecting your child with vaccines

Vaccination is one of the safest and most effective ways to protect your child’s health early in life. The immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is the trusted standard to train your child’s immune system. 


Here are the immunizations recommended for 6 to 11 years:

HPV

What: Protects against 9 strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is known to cause cervical, laryngeal, and penile cancers.

How: A series of 2 injections, typically given at the 9 years and 10 years well visits.

Tdap

What: Like DTaP, which your child received as an infant to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough), Tdap is a booster given every 10 years to continue protection.

How: Given as an injection, this booster is typically given at the 11 years well visit.

MenACWY

What: Protects against 4 different strains of bacterial meningitis, which can infect the lining around the brain and/or the spinal cord and result in death without treatment.

How: The first dose is typically given at the 11 years well visit.

Fewer shots, more protection

Giving vaccines in combination completes the series more quickly and reduces stress for your child. Combination vaccines do not “overload” your child’s immune system.

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Seasonal immunizations for grade school

The flu vaccine is recommended for all children 6 months and older, while the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for children at high risk of severe COVID disease.

Flu shot:

What:

Protects against seasonal influenza (flu), which can lead to serious complications in children with certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma or diabetes. 

How:

Flu vaccines are given as an injection (approved for use in children 6 months and older) or as a nasal spray (approved for use in children 2 years and older).

When:

Children should receive a flu vaccine every flu season. September and October are generally good times to get vaccinated, with a goal of vaccination by the end of October whenever possible.

Two doses may be needed

Children between 6 months and 8 years of age may need two doses of flu vaccine if they are getting vaccinated for the first time, have only previously received one dose of flu vaccine, or if their flu vaccination history is unknown. Ask your Kids Plus Pediatrics provider for more details.

Screenings for grade school

Screenings are vital during grade school to protect long-term health, ensure academic success, and prevent minor issues from escalating.

Here are the screenings recommended for 6 to 11 years:

Hearing

What: This screening detects any hearing changes or hearing loss.

How: Your child will be asked to wear a set of headphones and respond to sound.

Why: Early detection of hearing loss allows us to address concerns promptly and support speech, language, and learning development.

Social needs

What: A short set of questions we ask all families about things like food, housing, transportation, and safety.

How: Questionnaire during pre-registration or check-in that takes 2-3 minutes.

Why: When we understand your child’s environment, we can better support their growth, behavior, and success at home and at school.

Vision

What: This screening checks your child’s vision and how their eyes are working together.

How: We may ask your child to read an eye chart to identify letters and images.

Why: Children should be screened annually for vision changes.

Substance use & nicotine

What: It is recommended that all children, age 11 and older, be screened annually for tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.

How: Confidential conversations between child and provider, plus validated questionnaires.

Why: Early detection allows for intervention before experimentation turns into addiction or long-term health complications.

No right answers

No right answers

Every child develops differently and every family is unique, so there are no right or wrong answers. This information allows your care team to help you and your child in a way that best meets your needs.

A note about privacy

A note about privacy

All your screening answers are private — we do not report this information to outside agencies. However, we can connect you to helpful resources if you request them.

Labs for grade school

Labs are another important part of grade school well visits. Here are the labs recommended for 6 to 11 years:

Lipid panel

What: A simple non-fasting blood test that checks cholesterol and other indicators.

How: Typically done at our office or a lab as part of the 9 years well visit.

Why: High cholesterol often starts in childhood and may not cause symptoms. Identifying it early can help lower your child’s risk of heart disease and stroke as they get older.

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