In Texas, babies and children are encouraged to get several different vaccines to help protect them from serious disease. These vaccines are safe, effective ways to help your child stay healthy. See below for a list of common vaccines your child may receive.* Ask your child’s primary care provider (PCP) for a record when they get their shots. If you have questions or concerns, be sure to talk to your PCP. COVID-19 vaccine Protects against: COVID-19 , a contagious respiratory illness. Recommended for: Ev...
Moms and Dads—it’s time to get your child ready for back to school. Whether that means daycare, preschool, or K-12, Parkland STAR and CHIP plans can help! Your STAR or CHIP coverage offers: well-child checkups vaccines sports physical exams vision exams and eyeglasses dental checkups ADHD and behavioral health hearing tests and hearing aids Well-Child Checkups Babies and toddlers should see the doctor several times a year. After age three, most children will need a checkup only once a...
You may have heard recent news reports about a measles outbreak in Texas. Getting the MMR vaccine is the best way to keep from getting the measles. If you haven’t gotten the vaccine yet, it’s important to be aware of potential symptoms. There is no specific treatment for measles. Vaccination is the only way to prevent the disease. If you think you or your child has been exposed to someone with the measles, call your doctor or clinic right away to find out if you need to be tested or if you can be vaccin...
You may have seen recent news reports about measles outbreaks in Texas and other states. Measles is a highly contagious virus that can be spread through the air. Common symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, rash, and red, watery eyes. Measles can cause serious complications – including pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain) – in babies, children under age 5, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. Getting the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best ...
Sometimes, staying healthy takes a little extra effort – and it’s nice when you can get rewarded for it! Parkland Community Health Plan’s Member Rewards program gives members the chance to earn reward points for completing health and wellness activities. Once you earn the points, you can use them to get gift cards and other items from a rewards catalog. One way to earn rewards: take charge of your health! When you take steps to understand and improve your overall health, it can have lasting benefits for...
It’s time to get your flu shot! Influenza, usually called “the flu,” is a virus that can make you very sick. Flu season—meaning the time most people get sick—starts in October and ends in May. Some common myths and facts about the flu are shown below. Use this information to make the right health choices for you and your family. Myth : I don’t need the flu shot because I'm healthy. Fact: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone gets a flu shot begin...
Parents usually take their children to the doctor when they don’t feel well, or if they need help with a certain condition. But regular doctor visits are an important part of your child’s care, too – even when they’re healthy. If your doctor sees you on a regular basis, they will be more likely to find health issues quickly and keep them from getting worse over time. They can also identify chronic conditions that may require additional care throughout your child’s life. Preventive care can include: Well...
Effective February 15, 2024, MinuteClinic will be part of Parkland Community Health Plan’s provider network. MinuteClinic operates in more than 100 CVS Pharmacy locations throughout Texas and offers a range of services for children and adults, including: Routine health screenings and physicals Treatment for common illnesses and injuries Vaccines Prescriptions Support for chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. You can visit the PCHP Provider Directory or the MinuteClinic website to sea...
You probably already know that you should get a flu shot, also called flu vaccine, every year. But do you know the symptoms of having the flu? And do you know the difference between the flu and COVID-19 or the common cold? See them here: Why is the flu dangerous? The flu is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and, sometimes, the lungs. It can make you—and others around you—very sick. Some people die from the flu. If you get the flu, you will not be ab...
In the past few years, we’ve heard a lot about respiratory illnesses like COVID-19. RSV is another common virus that mainly affects infants and older adults – while infections are usually mild, it can become more severe in some cases. North Texas pediatric physician assistant Robert Smith shares important information about this common infection – and what you can do to prevent it. What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)? RSV or bronchiolitis is a common respiratory infection. It can cause...
The best way to treat childhood illnesses is to prevent them. Vaccines, also called vaccinations, were created to protect people of all ages from serious illnesses and diseases. When you take your baby, toddler, young child, and teenager to the doctor for their vaccines, you help them to stay as healthy as possible. To learn what vaccines are, how they work, and more, keep reading! North Texas pediatric physician assistant Patrick Tarango explains the basics of vaccines and why they are so important. Wh...
It’s almost time for fall – and the start of a new school year. If you or child have diabetes, this can be a good time to get up to date with your recommended diabetes care. Visit your doctor for a checkup that includes the following: Adult Child Hemoglobin A1c lab test Usually every 3-6 months Usually every 3-6 months Referral for a diabetic eye exam Usually every one to two years, as recommended by your doctor Often starting at age 11, or as recommended by your doctor Complete foot exam to check for n...
Is someone in your family sneezing, wheezing, or coughing? It might be asthma, allergies—or both. Keep reading to learn ways to control symptoms and breathe easier, indoors and out. What are the symptoms of asthma? Asthma is a long-term condition that causes the airways inside your lungs to become inflamed. Asthma symptoms can be mild, but an asthma attack can be a medical emergency. Common symptoms include: coughing shortness of breath wheezing chest tightness How is asthma diagnosed? A doctor ma...
Why should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? A COVID-19 vaccine helps protect you from getting sick. That’s important because, if you get sick with COVID-19: there’s no way to know how it will affect you you might get very sick—or even die you could spread it to other people, even if you don’t feel sick Can my children get the COVID1-19 vaccine? It depends on their age. To get the Pfizer vaccine – you must be at least 16 years old. To get the Moderna vaccine – you must be at least 18 years old. Is the COVID-1...