With families preparing for the upcoming school year, there is an important reminder for back to school physicals and vaccinations. 

Dallas County Health Department Community Health Administrator Abigail Chihak says any student that plans to participate in school athletics will likely need a physical prior to being able to play. Chihak says regardless of whether a student plans to play sports, it’s a good idea to get a checkup. 

“However, we do recommend that everybody, regardless on if you are going to play in a sport or not, have an annual wellness exam. It’s a great time to build rapport with your healthcare provider, to talk about preventive things that you can do to stay healthy and to ask any of those health questions that are on your mind.”

Chihak tells Raccoon Valley Radio it’s also a good idea to make sure students are up-to-date with their required vaccinations before heading back to school including the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine as well as the meningitis vaccine.

“We also recommend the flu shot around October so you’re protected during peak flu season and the COVID-19 vaccine for all students during the school year.”

Additionally, Chihak recommends middle school and high school students talk with their doctor about the HPV vaccine for cancer prevention.