ON SCREEN TEXT:
Care provider tips
Well-child visits and immunizations during COVID-19
ON SCREEN TEXT:
Should I still bring my baby in for well visits and immunizations during COVID-19?
Camera pans to Dr. Arethusa Kirk, sitting in her office.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
Dr. Arethusa Kirk
Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare
Community Plan of Maryland
DR KIRK:
Absolutely. Having a relationship with your pediatrician or family practice provider during this time is one of the most important trusting relationships you can build. Children all need to get their well-child checks and immunizations during this time of crisis, especially children that are under two years of age. All of the academies of science, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as the American Academy of Family Physicians have come out strongly in recommendation that you have a visit with your pediatrician or family practice provider for your child or infant. Immunizations are one of the most important ways in which we can protect children, and so it's very important for you to keep those visits. Your provider may have special protocols to follow so it's important to give a call before you make that appointment and go into the office, to ensure you're prepared to understand what those might be.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
What should I do to keep me and my baby safe at our appointment?
DR KIRK:
Keeping your baby safe and your children safe during a visit with your pediatrician or family provider is also very important to providers and the practices that are serving you. All of them have usually taken some kind form of special precaution to ensure that the families they're serving are keeping safe. It's important that you call ahead to make sure that you understand what those protocols might be. Some of them include keeping babies at their visit at a certain time of day, so they're away from any older and potentially sick children. Also, it may include special precautions for screening or questions, it may also include precautions in hand washing and temperature checks before you're seen in the clinic. So understanding in advance what's going to be required will be helpful as you prepare for your visit with your pediatrician or family practice provider. And just a note that it is very important to keep those appointments. We do want all children to have their well-child checks and their immunizations as on-time as possible.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
What if my baby has missed a round of immunizations?
DR KIRK:
You know, getting behind on immunizations super easy to do, especially during this time. And fortunately, there is a path forward. So the Centers for Disease Control has created an easy-to-follow schedule that will help with catch-up for both infants and other children. And so, just make an appointment with your pediatrician or family practice doctor, and they will happily ensure that you get your infant back on track on their schedule. I would encourage you to do that as soon as possible and ensure that your family members are also getting all of their immunizations on time.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
Can I safely invite family or friends into my home to help me with my baby?
DR KIRK:
You know, that's a great question, and many people have it, and it's such a celebratory time to have a new infant in the home with friends and family. I would advise with this time, with COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2, that it's important to recognize the ways in which this is transmitted, which is through respiratory droplet. And so physical distancing, washing hands and mask-wearing are really important precautions. You can safely have family and friends interact and have social distancing, as well as washing hands and mask-wearing, when they're around your newborn infant. The extent in which you want to screen family members and friends about their previous exposures and symptoms is really up to you. But it is recommended for any newborn that they have very limited exposure from anyone who could potentially be sick.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
What should I do to keep my baby safe if I’ve had contact with someone who has COVID-19?
DR KIRK:
If you've had contact with someone who has COVID-19, it's really important for you to talk with your own practitioner or provider about what to do next. But one of the common recommendations would be to ensure that you go ahead and get tested and ensure that you're keeping everyone around you safe by washing your hands more than 20 seconds wearing a mask and physical distancing. In addition, I would ensure that you call your pediatrician or family practice provider to get their advice about how you should handle childcare duties at home.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
What should I do if my baby has COVID-19 symptoms?
DR KIRK:
If you're concerned baby has COVID-19 symptoms, the most important call that you should make is to your pediatrician or family practice provider. It's really important that you go through all of the issues that are going on and symptoms, so that you can make the best decisions together about the next steps in your plan of care.
