Staying Up to Date
Annual well visits are extremely important for monitoring a child’s physical, mental, and emotional health as they are growing and evolving. We will routinely address concerns of the child and family and help to identify and address developmental, behavioral, and physical issues along the way. Annual well child visits are a requirement for a cohesive and comprehensive relationship with your pediatric team. Families whose children routinely miss their annual well checks may be asked to terminate their relationship with PHC in order to find a provider who better aligns with their philosophy of care.
Comprehensive Schedule of Appointments
The First Year
Newborn
The first appointment is our chance to get to know you and your baby. We will perform a thorough health history and physical evaluation. M.A.s will begin the visit, taking the child’s weight, length and head circumference to check the patient’s growth. The physician will provide guidance through the newborn stage and answer any questions or concerns new parents may have. The first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine will also be administered at this appointment if it wasn’t already given at the place of birth.
2 Week
M.A.s will measure baby’s weight, length and head circumference to check the patient’s growth in their first 2 weeks. As baby settles into life, questions may arise for new or experienced parents. Every child is different and our providers are prepared to answer your concerns. No vaccines are due to be administered at this appointment.
1 Month
You’ve had 4 weeks full of fun (and challenges and exhaustion!) with baby. At this appointment, in addition to gathering baby’s vitals (weight, height, head circumference), we will discuss development and readdress feeding and safety. If baby is up to date, immunizations are not due to be administered at this visit.
2 Month
2 months into sleepless nights and spit up but you’ve got the hang of the parent life. We’ll cover our usual bases with vitals (weight, height, head circumference) and general development and safety topics today. We can’t wait to hear about the new memories you’re making with the little one as their personality begins to blossom. At this appointment, Vaxelis (DTaP, Hib, IPV, Hepatitis B), Vaxneuvance (PCV), and RotaTeq/Rotavirus (Oral) immunizations will be administered.
4 Month
At the 4 month appointment, after M.A.s gather vitals (weight, height, head circumference), you and your provider will discuss feeding and the introduction of new foods into baby’s diet. Get your cameras ready because the first cereal can get adorably messy! Vaccines at this visit: Pentacel (DTaP, Hib, IPV, Hepatitis B), Vaxneuvance (PCV), and RotaTeq/Rotavirus (Oral) immunizations will be given.
6 Month
Can you believe we’re halfway to one?! (We can’t either!) Time flies, even when you’re exhausted. At this appointment, after getting vitals (weight, height, head circumference) and completing a lead exposure questionnaire, we’ll highlight on oral health and reminisce on the joys of baby’s first solid foods. Your baby may be beginning to find ways to maneuver around your house. Let’s talk about safety proofing your house. Baby will receive another round of the Vaxelis (DTaP, Hib, IPV, Hepatitis B), Vaxneuvance (PCV), and RotaTeq/Rotavirus (Oral) immunizations.
9 Month
9 Month appointment packing list for this visit: baby and the completed 9 Month ASQ packet. After a member of our clinical staff collects vitals (weight, height, head circumference) and answers to a lead risk questionnaire, we’ll go through your ASQ paperwork and check on baby’s developmental milestones. As long as baby is up to date, no immunizations are due to be given at this visit.
12 Month
One year later and baby is more active than ever. We’re sure you’re wishing you had eyes on the back of your head. Those cute little baby teeth are really coming in (ouch) and baby enjoyed their first birthday cake. M.A.s will take measurements (weight, height, head circumference), ask lead risk questions, and leave you to discuss the joys of your active baby with the provider. This appointment will need to be after baby’s first birthday so they can receive the following vaccinations: MMR, Vaxneuvance, and Hepatitis A. A blood test checking hemoglobin and lead level will also be performed.
Early Childhood
15 Month
Your baby is looking more like a toddler every day with each clumsy step. Keeping talking and singing with them. They are learning to understand language very quickly. Following vitals (weight, height, head circumference), we’ll talk about all the recent changes in your household as baby found their feet and the wonders of movement. We’ll wrap up the visit with 2 vaccines: Pentacel (DTaP, Hib, IPV) and Varivax (Varicella aka Chickenpox). The 18 Month ASQ packet will be given to you as you leave. You’ll want to complete this and bring it with you for the next appointment.
18 Month
At 18 months, the world is their dictionary. Babbles have turned into words and their vocabulary will continue to grow as they near 24 months. Speaking of growth, M.A.s will measure baby’s weight, height, and head circumference at this appointment. Lead risk questions will be evaluated again. The 18 Month ASQ packet you received at your last visit will be scored and reviewed. You will also complete the M-CHAT questionnaire. We’re excited to hear from you (and maybe baby!) about all the fun you’re having with games and bedtime routines. You might have potty training questions at this age and we’re happy to explore that with you, but don’t fret if you’re not ready yet. Before you head out, baby will receive their second and final dose of the Hepatitis A vaccine.
24 Month
A whole 6 months (and a birthday!) have passed since we saw you and baby! We have lots to catch up on. After we see how big baby got (weight, height, head circumference), review your child’s lead risk and M-CHAT form, you’ll get to share all of your baby’s accomplishments with us. We love to hear about their favorite foods and books. Your provider may discuss car seat safety and toilet training among other things. M.A.s will take another blood sample to screen for lead and leave you with a 30 Month ASQ packet to return with at your next appointment.
30 Month
Laughter is the best medicine and your child sure is keeping you dosed! Motor skills and communication are two of the many developmental areas we’ll discuss after reviewing your ASQ packet. Weight, height, and head circumference will be gathered by a medical assistant. Your child is not due for any immunizations as long as they are up to date.
3 Year
Year 3 brings new friends, story time and lots of fun. Preschool is just around the corner so you may want to start your search. Children starting preschool will require a health form complete by us and a copy of their vaccine record. Please let us know if you need this when the MA is starting your visit. If you are not sure whether your child will be starting preschool or not, we can always fill out the form just in case. Just let us know. At this appointment, vitals collected are weight, height, and blood pressure. We may attempt a vision and or hearing screen at this visit if they are getting ready for preschool. There will be another lead risk questionnaire. Your child will get to tell your provider all about their “big kid” bed and share their potty time wins! There are no labs or immunizations required at this visit. See you next year!
4 Year
It been a whole year since we saw you last! Your child has turned 4 and is showing her own unique personality. Family dinners and playing outside have become highlights in your child’s life during this stage. Your child is likely excited to attend school, be sure to mention any forms you made need completed for the next school year. In addition to vitals (weight, height, blood pressure) and lead risk questionnaire, it is routine for us to complete a vision and hearing screen. This visit will need to be after your child’s birthday because they will be receiving the following immunizations: Quadracel (DTaP, IPV) and ProQuad (Varicella and MMR). A finger poke for hemoglobin and lead levels may also be performed.
School Aged
5 Year to 10 Year
The next few years of childhood’s annual visits will be the same routine. M.A.s will gather vitals (weight, height, blood pressure) and perform vision and hearing screens. Lead risk questionnaires are part of the 5 & 6 year visits. Your provider will review your child’s growth charts and discuss general development. Car safety, school, exercise, and diet counseling are a few of the many conversations we may discuss during your annual check up. But…..Are their any shots at this visit? If your child has been up to date on all of their vaccines, then NO! Wahoo!!! We do have these years to catch up on any vaccines that were previously missed. Bloodwork may be ordered as needed for hemoglobin or cholesterol. We may decide this based on diet history, family history, or any issues discussed during the visit.
11 Year
Your “baby” is solidly into their tween years. He is growing physically, academically, socially, and emotionally. Your 11 year visit is generally the same as years prior but your child is due for immunizations. This visit must take place after their 11th birthday. They are due for Tdap, MenQuadfi, and HPV. There is a 15 min waiting period required after the administration of these vaccines. Routine screening bloodwork for hemoglobin and/or cholesterol will be performed if it has not been done at a prior visit.
12 Year to 15 Year
Teenage years are here! Hard conversations, big emotions and social stressors are a few of the many challenges typical of this time. After obtaining vitals (weight, height, blood pressure). Individuals 12 years and up will complete a PHQ depression screening questionnaire at each wellness visit. Your provider will discuss growth, development, and emotional health with you and your child. Our teenagers will also have and opportunity to have a confidential discussion with their provider. We encourage open lines communication with your child. Bloodwork for hemoglobin and/or cholesterol may be ordered. As long as your child has received all vaccines up to this date, they will not be due for immunizations at this visit.
16 Year
The 16 year visit is not very different from the previous teen years. The only additions are a few immunizations (and a possible driver’s license). You child will be due for MenQuadfi and Trumemba vaccines after their 16th birthday so we always recommend their appointment be after that date. A 15 min wait is required following their administration. An adult chaperone is required at this appointment for vaccines.
17 Year & 18 Year
Adulthood nears and your time as Pediatric Healthcare patient will soon come to a close. After an M.A. measures weight, height and blood pressure, your visit with your provider will commence. In addition to the traditional teenager topics, we’ll talk about transitioning into adulthood and what that path may look like for you and your child. Immunizations are not due, as long as your child has been up to date thus far.
Vaccine Schedule
Birth
Hepatitis B
2 Month
Vaxelis (DTaP, Hib, IPV, Hepatitis B)
Vaxneuvance (PCV)
RotaTeq (Oral)
4 Month
Prevnar (DTaP, Hib, IPV)
Vaxneuvance (PCV)
RotaTeq (Oral)
6 Month
Vaxelis (DTaP, Hib, IPV, Hepatitis B)
Vaxneuvance (PCV)
RotaTeq (Oral)
12 Month
MMR
Vaxneuvance (PCV)
Hepatitis A
15 Month
Pentacel (DTaP, Hib, IPV)
Varivax (Varicella “Chickenpox”)
18 Month
Hepatitis A (Dose #2)
4 Year
Quadracel (DTap, IPV)
ProQuad (Varicella, MMR)
11 Year
TDaP
MenQuadfi (Meningococcal ACWY)
HPV (Optional- 2 dose series if started before age 15 y, 3 doses if started after)
12 to 15 Year
HPV (optional)
16 to 18 Year
MenQuadfi (Meningococcal ACWY)
Trumemba (meningococcal B – 2 dose series
