Let’s Go Back to School with CVS MinuteClinic! #HealthyStart

*I have received promotional consideration from MinuteClinic and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. All opinions are my own.*

I can’t believe that in three weeks, my little cutie is starting first grade. I feel like I just had her, and now she is entering first grade. Where does the time go?! Between shopping for clothes and school supplies, and trying to get into the doctor office to get her vaccinations and physicals, I feel like I am at a loss. There is just no time between two jobs and trying to figure out how to get all of this done. Thankfully, I can rely on CVS to get me Back-To-School Ready with the CVS MinuteClinic!

MinuteClinic has all the services you need, from vaccinations and immunizations to sports physicals. To avoid all the waits at your doctor office, it is much easier to head to your local CVS MinuteClinic and get up to date vaccinations and immunizations that most schools now require. I plan to take Hayley there next week, so she can get her school shots and be all up to date for Back-To-School.

Meningitis is also a big scare among the college student age! Many schools and colleges require that students receive vaccinations including meningitis and pertussis (whopping cough) before attending school. Find out the requirements for meningitis shots in your state here: http://bit.ly/1fOYMDL, and the requirements for pertussis shots here: http://bit.ly/1VRj8NJ. To make it easier, you can get this all done at CVS MinuteClinic! MinuteClinic can administer meningitis vaccines to anyone over 18 months in most states.

Pertussis is another common concern among moms like me, who are sending their children to school this year. Pertussis is a contagious respiratory disease that can cause serious illness, especially in infants too young to be fully vaccinated. To prevent pertussis, infants should be vaccinated as soon as they are old enough. MinuteClinic recommends that those over 18 should get a booster vaccination immediately if they haven’t received one.

Here are other things that can be done at your local MinuteClinic:
Sports Physicals
Did you know that participating in sports can help your little MVP improve performance in the classroom? First and foremost, it’s important to make sure they’re healthy and cleared to get on the field. Sports physicals are a great way to make sure your athlete can safely play.

Even if your school doesn’t require it, sports physicals also help to keep immunizations up to date and provide an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have heading into a new school year.

MinuteClinic practitioners can:

• Review health history and immunizations
• Perform a thorough physical exam
• Complete and stamp required paperworkNeed some tips for pre and post game safety? Read on here!Fall Sports Tips
  After an active summer, make sure to ease your kids back into their sports routine in the appropriate way. Tips below:

• When starting a new sport, consider a pre-season conditioning program or camp to gradually build strength & endurance
• Don’t let them jump in too fast – increase intensity, distance or duration of play by about 10% a week. This allows the body to rest, rebuild, recover & avoid injury
• Help your kids boost their stamina and include the fit 5 in their diet: quinoa, kale, chia seed, peanut butter & pickle juice
• Avoid cramping before game time and serve main meals 2-3 hours prior. If they really need something before a game, lighter snacks, such as granola bars, can be digested in 30 minutesWhen it comes to injuries, sprains and strains are two of the most common ones, so be sure to know the difference between the two.
  • Sprains occur in a ligament (bone connector)
  • Strains occur in a muscle or tendon (muscle-bone connector)

  Kids can get either one after a fall on the sports field. But with strains, there’s an extra layer ─ they can actually get one just from overuse (like gripping a gymnastics bar or tennis racket). Get it checked out if their pain is severe ─ but if not, here’s how to help give them pain relief, fast:

  For the first 24-48 hours, think R.I.C.E. Help your kids:
  R = Rest the joint, and keep weight off of it.
  I = Ice the area to ease swelling.
  C = Compress the joint by wearing an elasticized support bandage from the drugstore.

  E = Elevate it ─ keep it up above their heart, especially when they sleep.

  More info on our sports physicals services here: http://bit.ly/1DfrEzK

  Do not forget to head to your local MinuteClinic to get Back-To-School ready quickly, efficiently, and painlessly!

  You can get $10 off a sports physical from now until 9/7/15 , and a FREE Johnson & Johnson coupon book with $29 worth of savings! That is worth itself to visit the MinuteClinic!

  You can find the closest MinuteClinic to you here: MinuteClinic Locations!