Alamosa County Public Health and local medical providers recommend that your child gets a physical and needed immunizations now to avoid the rush at the end of summer. Back to school time will be here before we know it!
It is a good idea that every person (kids included!) have an annual check-up with their provider. Kids that are up to date on their immunizations should still get an annual physical.
Then, they have a “medical home” established where they can receive medical care and learn how to stay well. Prevention is an important health strategy for everyone!
Medical providers want parents to know that that seeing masses of kids for sports physicals in a few hours is a thing of the past. An annual physical includes certain basic evaluations regardless of age; but there are additional aspects according to the child’s age and development that receive more time and attention. A few of the aspects of a “kid physical” are evaluation of growth and development, brain injury evaluation, mental health, injury prevention, substance use, and guidance on disease prevention.
An annual kid physical appropriate to age will address the requirements for sports physicals and most camp physicals, so additional appointments for those would not be necessary. Most insurances, including Medicaid, pay for one physical a year for those over age 5.
There are currently 19 providers that see children in Alamosa, including physicians (M.D.’s and D.O’s), nurse practitioners (NP’s) and physicians’ assistants (PA’s). Clinic names and phone numbers are: Rock Creek Family Medicine, 589-2370; San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center Physician Services Pediatrics 589-8004 and Family Practice 589-8005; Valley-Wide Health Systems Sierra Blanca Clinic and Alamosa Family Medical Center, both 589-3658.
