As our country continues taking slow steps towards reopening our economy, it's important to begin easing your way back into your health care routines.
COVID-19 caused many of us to hesitate booking doctor's appointments, and most elective procedures were canceled all together.
Now more than ever, it's important to keep up with your children's checkups and your own annual physicals. Tele-health options are available for much of this care. Medical offices, clinics and other health facilities have made significant strides in ensuring their locations are safe and clean. And you're providing yourself added protection by wearing a mask, washing your hands, and keeping appropriate distance from others.
While the concern is still high for COVID-19, we're also now entering the flu season and getting your flu shot is increasingly important this year. Most flu shots are covered and can be administered by your doctor or your local pharmacy.
It's also a good time to check in with your doctor to ensure other immunizations are up to date. For adults, you may need your pneumonia and shingles vaccines, and your kids or grandkids may be due or overdue for their measles, mumps,rubella, hepatitis A or B or other vaccinations. Kids grow quickly, so it's important to keep their health on track.
These preventive steps can go a long way toward a healthier fall and winter, not just for yourself, but for those around you.
There is also a nationwide effort underway to collect blood plasma from individuals who have fully recovered from COVID-19. Donated convalescent plasma may be directly transfused into COVID-19 patients or used to make a potential medicine.
You can find out more by visiting the websites on your screen. Let's all go forward safely and get back to care together.
Stay safe.