Dr. Sandra McKay urges parents to schedule last-minute annual checkups for kids before the school year begins.
HOUSTON — With just one to two weeks remaining before the new school year begins, parents are being encouraged to schedule their children’s annual physical exams — even if it’s last minute.
Dr. Sandra McKay, a pediatrician with UTHealth Houston, appeared Tuesday morning to discuss the importance of yearly checkups and to reassure parents that it’s not too late to get appointments scheduled.
“I would say give your pediatrician’s office a call right away, because we recognize that parents often, you know, kind of put some things on the back burner because life’s busy,” McKay said. “A lot of us plan for this in pediatric offices. We have extra appointments available for those last-minute well visits.”
What do doctors screen for?
The annual physical includes several screenings parents might not realize are part of the visit. McKay explained that pediatricians conduct vision and hearing tests, mental health screenings starting at age 12, and complete head-to-toe assessments, including checks of the skin, spine, heart, and lungs.
Children who play sports also receive cardiac screenings to ensure they’re healthy enough for physical activity.
“We also do developmental assessments, making sure children are hitting their milestones and are academically ready for school,” McKay said.
McKay emphasized the importance of early detection, noting that parents often miss subtle signs because they see their children every day. For instance, a child sitting too close to the TV or holding a tablet close to their face might have undiagnosed vision issues. Similarly, parents may dismiss mood changes as typical teen behavior, when screenings reveal underlying mental health concerns.
“It’s very common for parents to be shocked when their child screens positive on a mental health screening,” she said. “They’ll say, ‘I just thought my child liked being in their room a little more.’”
Let’s talk vaccines
When it comes to immunizations, McKay outlined key vaccines recommended at various ages:
- Kindergarten entry: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), varicella (chickenpox), DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), and polio.
- Age 11: Meningococcal and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis).
- Pre-college: Meningococcal booster.
Are last-minute visits OK?
McKay acknowledged that pediatric offices are prepared for last-minute requests — especially when students make sudden decisions about joining school sports.
“We know kids aren’t always great at telling their parents, ‘Hey, I want to go out for the football team,’” she said. “Sometimes they mention it a day or two before practice starts. We deal with this every year — it’s not a surprise in the pediatric world.”
Parents juggling packed schedules are encouraged to call their pediatrician’s office as soon as possible. Many clinics have planned ahead for the end-of-summer rush, offering expanded availability for well-child visits.