Preventive Health Guidelines for Children

h e l p y o u r c h i l d m a i n t a i n g o o d h e a l t h

No one knows your child better than you. Provide your doctor

with your child’s health history, and discuss any signs of illness

or potential developmental issues that your child exhibits. Ask

questions and make certain you understand what your doctor

tells you about your child’s care, immunizations, recommended

testing and prescription medications.

How to Find a Primary Care ProviderValley Medical Center manages a

neighborhood network of primary care

clinics, staffed with family

practitioners. Give our info line a call—

425.277.docS—or use the “Find a

Doctor” button on valleymed.org. We

can help match your child with a

provider that best fits your needs.

Urgent Care—for Immediate Medical AttentionFor times when you can’t wait for a regularly scheduled

appointment, Valley Medical Center’s urgent care clinics offer

walk-in appointments and after-hours care for injuries, ailments

and ambulatory services that don’t require the attention of an

emergency room. Urgent care is also less expensive than the ER,

with shorter wait times. Learn more at valleymed.org/clinics.

Recommended GuidelinesYour child’s preventive health management

includes immunizations, screenings for

developmental, nutritional and behavioral

conditions, as well as risk assessment for

various diseases and conditions. In

addition, your doctor will provide age-

appropriate safety and child-rearing guidance. If your child will be

in competitive sports, be sure to mention this at the yearly well

child check-up, so your doctor can do the appropriate testing.

Parents: Help Your Child Stay Healthy for LifeWhen your child becomes seriously ill or injured, it’s a natural

instinct to seek medical care. Keep in mind that preventive care

is just as important to your child’s health and well-being. Take an

active role in managing your child’s health to make certain that

he or she receives well child exams, periodic screenings and

immunizations. Choose your child’s primary care provider early,

be educated about your child’s health needs and maintain

accurate records of your child’s health history.

Seek Proper Care Your best resource in managing your child’s health is a primary

care physician. Regular well child check-ups enable your doctor

to assess your child’s development, screen for potential health

concerns, advise you on child rearing and healthy lifestyle

practices and administer immunizations to protect your child

from serious diseases. Your doctor will remind you when to bring

your child in for certain immunizations and screenings.

© 2011 VMC (Rev 11/11) VMC-CLIN-00009 Recycled Paper

Your Child’s Preventive Health Checklist

0-24 months 2-6 years 7-10 years 11-21 years

Sc

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en

in

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head circumference Every well visit

Body mass index (Bmi) percentile Every visit

developmental / behavioral assessment Every well visit

Blood pressure Every well visit

Vision screening Periodic subjective or objective screening at every well visit

hearing screening Periodic subjective or objective screening at every well visit

nutritional assessment Every well visit

dental assessment Every well visit

hereditary & metabolic screening Birth & 2 weeks

tuberculosis screening If high-risk

anemia 9 mos.Menstruating females;

Males age 15

lead testing If high-risk

cholesterol Screening If high-risk

cervical cancer screening If indicated

Screening for sexually transmitted diseases

Consult doctor, if sexually active

rubella antibody screening For non-immune women

h e l p y o u r c h i l d m a i n t a i n g o o d h e a l t h

Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule1

Birth 1mon

2mos

4mos

6mos

12 mos

15 mos

18 mos

24 mos

4-6 years

11-12 years

13-14 years

15 years

16-18 years

Va

cc

in

at

io

nS

tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis x x x x x x

hepatitis B x x x

Haemophilus Influenzae type B x x x x

inactivated poliovirus x x x x

measles, mumps, rubella (mmr) x x

chickenpox (Varicella) x x

pneumococcal disease (pcV) x x x x

pneumococcal disease (ppV) Recommended for certain high-risk groups

hepatitis a x

influenza2 Yearly

rotavirus (rV) (menigococcus, mcVc) x x x

menigococcus (mcV4) Age 11 Age 16

human papilloma Virus (hpV) 3 times for age 9 and older

1. Recommended immunization schedules subject to change. Catch-up immunization will be needed if your child did not receive any of the recommended vaccines according to schedule. Consult your child’s doctor.

2. Yearly immunization recommended for children 6 months or older. Immunization schedules for influenza may change. Check with your child’s doctor.