Is it Exam Time for Georgia's School Childre...( ATLANTA Aug. 6 /-...),Health

ATLANTA, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Although many children and teens are enjoying the remaining days of their summer vacation, it is actually exam time here in Georgia. Don't fret, the exams we are referring to are given in a doctor's and/or dentist's office instead of the traditional classroom, and should take place before or shortly after the start of the new school year. These exams include a routine doctor's exam to confirm that all immunizations are up-to-date, a dental exam and a vision exam.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA) is reinforcing the importance of annual exams for all school-age children, ensuring that Georgia's youth population receives the care it needs and deserves. "As parents prepare their children and teenagers for the transition back to school, they need to make sure each child gets the recommended immunizations, along with an eye exam and dental cleaning," said Dr. Robert McCormack, Medical Director, BCBSGA.

Vaccinations:

There are many recommended vaccines for children and teens, including influenza, which should be given to all school-age children from six months to 18 years, as well as to those who have frequent contact with households that have infants and children up to four years and 11 months old. The whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine is commonly given to young children, but immunity fades over time. Therefore, the best protection for teens and pre-teens is a booster shot of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) to help protect against these three serious diseases.

This year, the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that children receive the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine in addition to the seasonal flu vaccine when it becomes commercially available to the general public in the fall. ACIP has given prioritization for those admini
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