Yes. Routine well-child visits and vaccine visits are essential, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s important that your family continue to receive their immunizations, including flu vaccines, on time and according to the schedule recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, like the flu vaccine, may be administered during the same visit.
Many of these diseases are serious. At a time when our health care system is already overwhelmed, it is critical that we avoid outbreaks of preventable diseases, like flu, measles, pertussis (whooping cough), and mumps. Please keep in mind that COVID-19 vaccine may be administered without regard to timing of other vaccines. This means that your child may receive an age appropriate COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines (like flu vaccine) on the same day or at any time before or after another vaccine.
Many medical offices are taking extra steps to make sure that well visits can happen safely during the COVID-19 outbreak, including:
- Scheduling sick visits and well-child visits during different times of the day.
- Asking patients to remain outside until it’s time for their appointment to reduce the number of people in waiting rooms.
- Offering sick visits and well-child visits in different locations.
- Screening for symptoms by phone before the appointment.
- Asking everyone to wear masks during their appointment. Prepare for the visit by calling your child’s health care provider to ask when your child’s vaccinations are due and what procedures are in place at the office.
Sources:
CDC: Routine vaccinations during COVID-19
CDC: Keep Children Healthy during the COVID-19 Pandemic