Your Child’s 6-Year Well Visit: What to Expect
Congratulations… you have a school-age child. You and your child have reached yet another milestone. Although children this age are not physically growing as fast as before, they are intellectually and socially developing. Here is what to expect at today’s checkup.
Vaccines usually given at this visit
These are the vaccines we usually give at this visit. Your child’s schedule may differ from the usual schedule. You can view your child’s vaccine record on the portal and compare it with the standard schedule.
Vaccines are among the most researched and safest treatments for children (and adults). They are highly effective at preventing severe illness and death and save hundreds of thousands of children’s lives every year. For centuries, these diseases were the most common cause of death in children, and all of them are still present and a threat to the health and lives of infants and children. Visit our Vaccine Center for more information.
The DTaP vaccine protects against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). These germs infect infants and often cause severe illness or death. Infants in our area are at risk; tetanus lives in the dirt and is always around. Diphtheria outbreaks occur in other countries and may travel here. We still see cases of whooping cough in our area. Children should not delay getting this vaccine.
Children usually receive five doses of DTaP, usually at the following ages:
- Two months
- Four months
- Six months
- 15–18 months
- 4–6 years
More information
The IPV (polio) vaccine protects against the poliovirus, which can cause paralysis. It can occur at any age. The paralysis can be permanent and affect only the arms or legs affect the chest, causing breathing difficulty. These patients have to live inside an iron lung for the rest of their lives.
More information
The MMR vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). There are still numerous measles outbreaks in England, Europe, and the United States due to increased numbers of unvaccinated children. Measles can be severe or deadly in children, and mumps can cause sterility in males. Rubella can infect babies in their mother’s womb and cause hearing loss and other birth defects.
More information
The varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox, which is caused by the varicella virus. While many considered chickenpox a relatively harmless childhood rite of passage, several hundred children in the US every year had severe and sometimes fatal infections before the vaccine was developed.
More information
The influenza (flu) vaccine is recommended during flu season for all children. Children less than nine years old need two doses this year if they have not had at least two doses before. The vaccine is usually given between October and March each year.
More information
Giving medication for fever or pain before the vaccines is not recommended, and it is not needed for fever after the vaccines either. Fever will not harm your child, and it helps the vaccines work. You only need to treat discomfort. If your child is cranky, fussy, or uncomfortable, give some pain medication (acetaminophen or ibuprofen). See After Vaccine Care for more information.
You can learn more about each vaccine from the CDC Vaccine Information Statements (VIS). There is a link above for each vaccine and a copy in a notebook in your exam room. You can also ask for a paper copy at your child’s visit.
Vision screening
Your child’s vision is critical during the younger years because a proper “image” from the eyes is necessary for the brain to develop correctly. If it doesn’t, lifelong vision loss will occur because the brain never developed correctly. We will check your child’s vision today using a standard vision chart as a screening tool. Normal vision at this age is at least 20/40 in each eye. If your child’s vision is worse than 20/40 on this screening test, she will need to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist. We have a list of recommended specialists. Learn more about vision screening in children.
Hearing Screening
Your child’s hearing is important for learning speech and language development during the younger years. Hearing loss is often not noticed until significant loss has occurred. Young children often cannot tell that they have a hearing problem; it sounds normal to them. Hearing problems starting later in childhood can cause learning, social, and emotional difficulties. Learn more about hearing screening.
Next visit
- Your child’s next well visit is at six years old. Learn more about what to expect at that visit.
- You can schedule that visit today at checkout.
References
- Hagan JF, Shaw JS, Duncan PM, eds. Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 4th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, 2017. Bright Futures website
- American Academy of Pediatrics Periodicity Schedule