While we are still in the heat of the summer, it is time for people to consider scheduling back to school exams. 

Dallas County Health Department Public Information Officer Ann Cochran says people should remember that most clinics may be booked for appointments several weeks out. Cochran says in this event people may not be able to get their children in before school and fall sports start. 

“If you don’t have a regular clinic that you normally use for your children, go ahead and call health navigation and we can help you locate a clinic. Your children who are twelve-years-old and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine and the other vaccines they need at the same doctor’s visit.”

Cochran says what checkups children need may depend on their age but regular checkups are important. 

“Regular checkups with their primary doctor are very important because you can check things like the curvature of the spine that sometimes shows up around junior high time. So, even if your son or daughter is not eligible for any kind of vaccine that doesn’t mean it’s okay to just skip their annual checkup.”

Cochran says the regular checkups are important to catching issues before they could become more severe.