It’s Back to School Time: COVID-19, Flu Shots and Other Vaccinations are Essential for a Healthy School Year – NYC Health + Hospitals

It's Back to School Time: COVID-19, Flu Shots and Other ...  NYC Health + Hospitals

It’s Back to School Time: COVID-19, Flu Shots and Other Vaccinations are Essential for a Healthy School Year – NYC Health + Hospitals

It’s Back to School Time: COVID-19, Flu Shots and Other Vaccinations are Essential for a Healthy School Year

NYC Health + Hospitals offers comprehensive pediatric and adolescent health services

Appointments are available citywide at little or no cost by calling 844-NYC-4NYC

Sep 06, 2023

New York, NY

NYC Health + Hospitals today reminded parents and guardians to schedule appointments for annual physicals, immunizations, vision and hearing, and other regular checkups. Public school starts on Thursday, September 7th. Appointments for pediatric and adolescent services are available at NYC Health + Hospitals locations citywide at little or no cost by calling 844-NYC-4NYC (844-692-4692). 

Katherine Piwnica-Worms, MD, MHS, NYC Health + Hospitals Assistant Vice President of Pediatrics, stated that “A healthy start to the new school year begins with a regular visit to a child’s pediatrician. Having a regular doctor or visiting a pediatric group is essential not only at the beginning of the school year, but all year round. This will enable parents to get answers to health-related questions about their child, and to help their child address any emerging physical and mental health needs. Parents can call 844-NYC-4NYC now to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician.”

NYC Health + Hospitals offers comprehensive pediatric and adolescent health services at little or no cost. Pediatric services include, immunizations and annual flu shots, physicals, asthma and diabetes screenings, obesity prevention, nutrition counseling, dental services, mental health screenings and counseling. Adolescent services for those aged 12 and older include, primary care, sexual and reproductive health services, LGBTQIA+ care, mental health and depression help, and sport physical and sports injury care.

Essential Tips for Keeping Kids Healthy This School Year and Beyond:

  • Annual Physicals – Yearly physicals are important to ensure children are growing and developing properly.
  • COVID-19 Readiness – Children aged 6 months and older should ideally get their first vaccine dose and be fully vaccinated before school or daycare starts.
  • Flu Shots – Every child six months or older should get the flu shot once every year.
  • Other Vaccinations – Vaccines are necessary to help protect children and others against disease. In New York City, all students must get their age-appropriate vaccinations in order to attend child care or school.
  • Vision and Hearing Tests – Children should have their hearing and vision routinely tested with their doctor from infancy through high school. Watch for signs of hearing or vision loss and talk to your child’s doctor if you notice any changes.
  • Nutrition – Parents can help kids make healthy food choices – even at school. Encourage them to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. When eating bread or pasta, choose 100% whole grain products. Encourage them to choose water, not juice or soda.
  • Routines – Consistent routines help keep children alert and productive during the school year and can be a life-saver when it comes to avoiding problems at bedtime. Afterschool routines should include consistent after school activity and homework schedules, TV time, dinner schedules, and bedtime routines.
  • Sleep – Adequate sleep helps keep kids focused each day at school and is important for their health. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Press Office, 212-788-3339

About NYC Health + Hospitals

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4: Quality Education

The article discusses the importance of vaccinations, physicals, and regular checkups for children, which are related to ensuring good health and well-being (SDG 3). It also emphasizes the significance of these health measures for children’s education and school attendance, connecting to the goal of quality education (SDG 4).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  • SDG 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
  • SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.

The article highlights the need for vaccinations and regular checkups as part of essential health-care services for children, aligning with the target of achieving universal health coverage (SDG 3.8). It also emphasizes the role of these health measures in promoting children’s well-being and enabling them to participate in education, supporting the target of acquiring knowledge and skills for sustainable development (SDG 4.7).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  • Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services (immunization, reproductive health, etc.)
  • Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies, (b) curricula, (c) teacher education, and (d) student assessment

The article implies the need to measure the coverage of essential health services, specifically immunizations and other preventive measures, to track progress towards achieving universal health coverage (Indicator 3.8.1). Additionally, the article suggests the importance of assessing the integration of global citizenship education and education for sustainable development into national education policies, curricula, teacher education, and student assessment to monitor progress towards promoting sustainable development through education (Indicator 4.7.1).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being SDG 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services (immunization, reproductive health, etc.)
SDG 4: Quality Education SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles. Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies, (b) curricula, (c) teacher education, and (d) student assessment

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: nychealthandhospitals.org

 

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