Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, well-child visits and vaccinations are as important as ever and require in-person appointments. Unfortunately, we have noticed a significant drop in the number of visits for checkups and vaccinations.
Like doctors around the country, Pediatric Partners is taking extra precautions to ensure the health and safety of our patients and their parents. We clean regularly, wear masks and ensure social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As children prepare to go back to school in the fall, these visits are necessary and require in-person appointments.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is concerned that the significant drop in well-child visits is resulting in delays in vaccinations, delays in appropriate screenings and referrals and delays in preventative measures to assure optimal health.
During well visits before school starts, children receive their vaccinations, and pediatricians determine whether further testing or screening is required to ensure your child’s physical and cognitive growth is on track. This only can be accomplished during in-person visits to your pediatrician.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the declines in routine pediatric vaccinations indicate that U.S. children and their communities face increased risks for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles. “Reminding parents of the vital need to protect their children against serious vaccine-preventable diseases, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, is critical,” the CDC says on its website.
Pediatric Partners is well-equipped for sick- and well-child visits and to provide vaccinations. Our waiting rooms are designed to allow for social distancing. Our staff will wear masks during patient encounters, and we clean and sanitize often. For more information on the steps we are taking during the COVID-19 pandemic, go to PedPartners.com/Coronavirus.
Pediatric Partners has three locations to better serve our patients. The Evans office is at 411 Town Park Blvd.; the downtown Augusta office is at 1303 D’Antignac Street, Suite 2600; and the new Grovetown office is at 5135 Wrightsboro Road. For more information about Pediatric Partners, call the office at 706-854-2500, visit PedPartners.com, or follow the Pediatric Partners of Augusta Facebook page.
