{"id":13778,"date":"2025-06-24T14:39:47","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T18:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=13778"},"modified":"2025-06-24T14:39:47","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T18:39:47","slug":"rhhd-encourages-parents-and-guardians-to-schedule-primary-care-appointments-for-children-during-summer-months","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/archived-news-releases\/2025-news-releases\/rhhd-encourages-parents-and-guardians-to-schedule-primary-care-appointments-for-children-during-summer-months\/","title":{"rendered":"RHHD Encourages Parents and Guardians to Schedule Primary Care Appointments for Children During Summer Months"},"content":{"rendered":"

June 16, 2025
\nMedia Contact:<\/strong> Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

RHHD Encourages Parents and Guardians to Schedule Primary Care Appointments for Children During Summer Months<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>RICHMOND, Va. <\/strong>\u2014 The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage families to schedule a wellness visit for children with their primary care provider during the summer months. These visits allow children to receive school-required immunizations and physicals ahead of the back-to-school season.<\/p>\n

Families can schedule appointments with a primary care physician or one of RHHD\u2019s community partners. RHHD provides resources for families on Medicaid, Medicare, or who are uninsured at rhhd.gov\/connect-pc<\/strong><\/a>. Please visit RHHD\u2019s School Health Hub<\/strong><\/a>, Richmond Public Schools<\/strong><\/a>, or Henrico County Public Schools<\/strong><\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

“Summer is a great time for your child to see their primary care provider for a wellness visit,\u201d said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Community Health Nurse Supervisor Virginia Slattum. \u201cA primary care provider will make sure your child gets the immunizations and physicals they need for school and sports. Appointments may be limited closer to the start of school. Taking care of these important visits now means kids will be ready for the school year and will have more time for late-summer fun!\u201d<\/p>\n

School-Required Immunizations<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Code of Virginia requires children entering daycare, public and private schools to give proof of vaccination before enrollment. Parents and guardians can view the Virginia childhood vaccine schedule<\/strong><\/a> and can find more information on the web at School and Day Care Minimum Immunization Requirements<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Virginia Vaccines for Children Program (VVFC) provides free or low-cost vaccines for uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid-enrolled children. Families can search for a nearby VFC provider using this tool rhhd.gov\/vfc<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Families with private insurance may schedule appointments with their primary care physician, a local pharmacy, or one of RHHD\u2019s community partners. Families can learn more by visiting rhhd.gov\/childhoodvax-partners<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Families without insurance or who are enrolled in Medicaid can schedule appointments at an RHHD clinic by calling 804-205-3500 and can find more information at rhhd.gov\/childhoodvax<\/strong><\/a>. Students must bring a guardian, a copy of immunization records, and an insurance card if they have one.<\/p>\n

School and Sports Physicals Requirements<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Code of Virginia requires children to have a school physical<\/strong><\/a> before starting public kindergarten or enrolling in elementary school for the first time. During a physical, a doctor can:<\/p>\n