Summer is coming, and you know what that means - it's time for physical examinations. It's time to be thinking about annual physical examinations, especially for preschool, kindergarten and sports. Any physical exam done after April 15, 2010 will be valid for completing sports/camp forms for the 2010/2011 school year.

Please don't wait until the last minute to schedule your child's physical exam; our schedule fills up quickly, and we want to be able to accommodate you. Our May, June, and July schedules are open and accepting appointments at this time. There may be some Saturday morning appointments available.

Please plan to accompany your child to the phyiscal exam appointment, and complete the parent portion of any camp/sports/school forms before you arrive.

This is also a good time to catch your child up on immunizations. This is especially important for teens heading to college. There have been some revisions made to the immunization schedule, so please read the following information carefully.

The Prevnar Vaccine has been improved to include six additional strains of the strep pneumococcus bacteria.

All children ages one year to 50 months (not yet five years) are required to receive one dose of Prevnar 13 to enter daycare, preschool and kindergarten.

It is recommended that any child entering daycare, preschool or kindergarten receive Hepatitis A (this vaccine will be required soon).

Preteens (ten years and over) are required to have a second varicella, TDAP, and meningitis vaccine before entering middle school. Hepatitis A is recommended at this age is not done in infancy.

Pediatrics, P.C. recommends annual physical examinations starting at age two years to assure your child is up to date on immunizations, growing normally and developing as expected. These visits also allow us to gather information needed to complete health forms required by daycares and schools (including sports participation).

Our office participates with theVaccine for Children program administered by the State of Michigan. This program offers vaccines at a redued cost for those families whose insurance does not cover them. All vaccines are also available at your local health department.

New Chickenpox (Varicella) and Adolescent Immunization Requirements for School Programs

Beginning January 1, 2010 and effective for November 2010 report period:

Required for all children entering kindergarten and all children changing school districts:

Required for all children enrolled in 6th grade and for all children 7 through 18 years changing school districts:

A new site is available for health advice. It is backed by over 60,000 American Academy of Pediatrics member pediatricians. Visit HealthlyChildren.org to try it out.

H1N1 (Swine Flu) Update

Pediatrics, P.C. is following the H1N1 flu protocol established by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control. Here are a few things you should know:

• Symptoms of H1N1 flu are no worse than and similar to those of seasonal flu: fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache and muscles aches.

• Prevention of H1N1 is similar to that of seasonal flu: frequent hand washing, covering sneezes and coughs, keeping hands away from eyes, nose and mouth, staying home if ill. Teach your children the “vampire sneeze” (sneezing into the crook of the elbow).

• Flu testing has not been shown to be accurate, and Pediatrics, P.C. will not be testing for seasonal or H1N1 flu.

• For further information, see the CDC website www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

• We will try to keep you updated as further information becomes available to us.
• We currently have some H1N1 vaccine available.  Please call the office to schedule an appointment for your child.

Welcome to the Website for Pediatrics PC, your home for patient and family centered pediatric care. We provide medical care for children between birth and high school graduation. We are conveniently located in Portage, MI, on Mall Drive between Constitution and Westnedge Ave. While most of your questions can be answered in our Website, feel free to contact our office to speak with one of our staff.

At Pediatrics PC, our goal is to provide patient and family-centered pediatric care from infancy through adolescence. As one of the oldest independent pediatric groups in the area, our physicians and office staff are proud that we are continuing to serve the third and fourth generations of families in Southwest Michigan. We strive to see your acutely sick child the same day you call for an appointment, while encouraging you to form a partnership/relationship with a pediatrician who will get to know your family and your values.

Forms for establishing your child as a patient as well as forms for school physicals, ADD/ADHD evaluations and Eating Disorder patients are located under the forms section.