Staying on Top of Children’s Health During the Pandemic What Questions to Ask, Immunization Information, and What to Consider Before Going to an Appointment



Your child’s care provider does many important things, like checking your baby’s development and giving immunizations. They can also help you watch over your baby’s health. Recently, Dr. Arethusa Kirk, Chief Medical Officer at UnitedHealthcare, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to discuss the important issue of pediatric health.



A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/qFe6qoBCuew







The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted how Americans are accessing health care and, for parents or guardians of a new baby, it has created questions about how to safely ensure early development goals are met.



In light of COVID-19 restrictions, UnitedHealthcare is raising awareness for the importance of vaccinations and well visits. While virtual visits and telehealth are care options to consider, check with your doctor about what qualifies, newborn and baby well visits and immunizations should be done in a clinical setting.



Your baby should go to at least eight well-child visits before they are 15 months old and preparation is key for a more comfortable appointment. Knowing what will happen at each of these appointments can help you get ready.



There may be special steps to take when you arrive for your appointment. Call your child’s care provider before your visit. And remember to practice social distancing, wash your hands often and wear a mask.



If you are a UnitedHealthcare Community Plan member, you may have access to our Healthy First Steps program, which can help you find a care provider, schedule well-child visits, connect with educational and community resources and more.



For more information, visit UHC.com/childrenswellness



About Dr. Arethusa Kirk:

Dr. Arethusa Stevens Kirk is the Chief Medical Officer for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Maryland where she directs clinical initiatives for member-centric care coordination, population health, and quality programs. Dr. Kirk has served as a National Health Service Corps Scholar and as the Vice President of Medical Affairs at Total Health Care, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Baltimore City. She continues to practice as an Associate Physician of the Neurology and Development Inpatient Unit at Kennedy Krieger Institute and as a primary care physician. Prior to her career in medicine she served as a volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity in India and as a Health Education Coordinator in The Gambia West Africa for the U.S. Peace Corps.



About YourUpdateTV:

YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology.