Most of our patients using urgent care only visit when something is wrong, and many may not have had an overall physical for a long time. The question is: Is there a need for annual wellness physicals, and what are the vaccination recommendations for adults?
Who needs a wellness physical and how often?
If you are young (under 30) and healthy, meaning you don’t smoke or drink too much and live a healthy lifestyle, it’s recommended every 2-3 years.
Anyone who is over 30 and lives a healthy lifestyle, every 2 years.
If you smoke or have risk factors for certain conditions, once a year check-up would be beneficial, or listen to your physician’s recommendation.
Most insurance plans cover an annual check up free of copay.
Who needs a wellness physical and how often?
For healthy adults with no symptoms, a cholesterol screening should start at the age 20, and every 5 years for those who are at low risk for cardiovascular disease. Your doctor may recommend a more frequent check up due to your health conditions.
Are You Fully Vaccinated? Common adult vaccine schedule per CDC
For anyone who is 19-50 years of age:
- MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella): 2 doses
- Varicella (Chicken pox): 2 doses
- HEP A or B: 2-3 doses depending on vaccine
- Tetanus (TDAP): every 10 years
- Flu vaccine: yearly
Some colleges may require Meningococcal for anyone 21 or younger. Consult your primary care doctor if you have any questions.
COVID 19 Booster Shot: Who needs it and when?
CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised make up about 3% of the adult population and are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness. Examples are:
- Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
Remember, myDoc Urgent Care provides primary care services including physical and vaccination. We ask everyone to please take good care of your overall health during this extremely challenging time.
