No matter what grade your child just started, there’s always a back-to-school checklist of to-dos. It’s a good idea to add a visit to your family doctor or pediatrician for an annual well child visit or physical exam to that list. Annual exams are covered as part of your child’s Kid Care CHIP health insurance plan. In addition, don’t forget about your teeth because oral health is part of your overall health! Make sure to visit your dentist for your 6 month checkup.
A visit to your child’s doctor will also ensure all vaccinations are up to date. As a parent, making sure your child is vaccinated on time is an important step toward ensuring their long-term health. Vaccination also helps protect the health of classmates, friends, relatives and others in the community.
Here are some recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to know what to do before, during and after your child gets vaccinated.
Be ready to support your child during the vaccine visit. Pack your child’s favorite toy, book or blanket to comfort him or her during vaccinations.
If your child is older, you can have a chat:
- Be honest with your child. Explain that shots can pinch or sting, but that it won’t hurt for long.
- Engage other family members, especially older siblings, to support your child.
- Remind your child that vaccines can keep him or her healthy.
At the doctor’s office
If you have questions about vaccination, ask your child’s doctor or health care professional. Your child’s doctor will give you Vaccine Information Statements for the vaccines that your child will be getting that day. Vaccine Information Statements include information about the risks and benefits of each vaccine. If your doctor doesn’t give you one, you can request one.
After the shots
Sometimes children experience mild reactions from shots, such as pain at the injection site, a rash or a fever. These reactions are normal and will soon go away. These tips will help you identify and minimize mild side effects:
- Read the Vaccine Information Sheet(s) your child’s doctor gave you to learn about side effects your child may experience.
- Use a cool, damp cloth to help reduce redness, soreness and/or swelling in the place where the shot was given.
- Reduce fever with a cool sponge bath.
- Offer liquids more often. It is normal for some children to eat less during the 24 hours after getting vaccines.
- Ask your child’s doctor if you can give your child an acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Pay extra attention to your child for a few days. If you see something that concerns you, call your child’s doctor.
My 307 Wellness App
Take care of your health and your family’s health in one easy-to-use phone app.
My 307 Wellness helps you track your entire family’s doctor appointments, immunizations and more right on your phone.
- Add each family member to the app to keep track of their health. Add yourself, your children, spouse, parents, grandparents and other loved ones.
- Daily and weekly personalized health content.
- Tools for general health like a growth tracker, immunizations tracker, diaper tracker and feeding tracker.
- Shared family checklists for questions at the doctor’s, notes and reminders.
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My 307 Wellness was created for families in Wyoming by the Wyoming Department of Health.
The app is easy to download:
Apple Store
Google Play
Text FAMILY to 307-317-0819 for a link.
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Time to Renew?
Kid Care CHIP coverage must be renewed every year.
Renew over the phone: 855-294-2127
Not sure when to renew?
Please e-mail kidcarechip@wyo.gov
Contact Kid Care CHIP
For health and pharmacy questions, call Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming: 1-800-209-9720
For dental benefit questions, call Delta Dental of Wyoming: 1-800-735-3379
For vision benefit question, call Davis Vision 1-800-584-2865
For other questions, e-mail kidcarechip@wyo.gov
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