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Time for a back-to-school checkup

July 18, 2025—It may seem like summer just started. But it's almost time to utter the three words most kids dread to hear: "back to school." If you haven't already made an appointment with your child's doctor for a back-to-school health exam, this is a good time to do so.

Here are three reasons why this annual doctor visit is important:

1. A checkup is a good time to get vaccinations. Kids from kindergarten to college need vaccines. In fact, your state might require that your child be vaccinated against certain diseases, such as pertussis (whooping cough). Your doctor can tell you what immunizations your child needs.

2. An exam is a good choice if your child wants to play sports. A sports physical may be required for playing on a team or another type of extracurricular activity. But a sports-related exam is a good idea for all kids—even if they aren't joining an organized team, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The exam is the perfect time to talk about exercise-related topics, like injuries, nutrition, training and your child's feelings about participating in sports.

3. A checkup is a good time to ask questions. An annual physical gives you and your child's doctor a chance to discuss any developmental, emotional or social concerns. Especially with teenagers, it's a chance to talk about alcohol, smoking, drugs and sexual activity.

What else can you do to make your child's school year a success? Check out our School Health topic center.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Catch Up on Checkups and Routine Vaccines." https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/partners/childhood/downloads/childvax-infographic.pdf.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Vaccines for Your Children: Keeping Track of Records." https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-children/records.
• HealthyChildren.org. "Back to School, Back to the Doctor." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/school/Pages/Back-to-School-Back-to-the-Doctor.aspx.
• HealthyChildren.org. "Sports Physical: When, Where, Who Should Do It?" https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sports/Pages/Sports-Physical-PPE.aspx.