Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine

Have a child entering pre-k, kindergarten, sixth or ninth grade this year? Be sure you have an appointment set up for a back-to-school physical before school starts. Physicals are required for students entering pre-k, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade and students who are new to Springfield Public Schools.

Staying up-to-date on vaccines and having a routine physical helps families protect their children from the most serious illnesses. “When children enter kindergarten, they have to show proof of receiving the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis or the Tdap, their final polio, their final measles, mumps, rubella vaccine and their final varicella or chicken pox vaccine,” says SIU pediatrician Dr. Craig Batterman. Starting at sixth grade children must also have proof of this Tdap booster to attend school.

Dr. Batterman urges parents to make sure their children get the required vaccinations at the scheduled times. (View the CDC’s guidelines here.) Parents who have questions about vaccines should talk with their primary care physician, pediatrician or local public health department.

If you’re looking for a medical home for your family’s needs, including getting school physicals, contact SIU’s Center for Family Medicine, a Federally Qualified Health Center, or SIU’s Department of Pediatrics at 217-545-8000.

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