Pediatric Care During COVID-19
Wellstar is committed to helping children stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Count on our dedicated healthcare team to keep your child in safe, expert hands.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Children Ages 5 to 11
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use authorization for children ages 5 to 11 years old. Now, anyone age 5 and older is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Certain immunocompromised children ages 5 to 11 may now receive a third primary series dose. Young people ages 12 and older can also get their booster, as well. Learn more.
Getting vaccinated is an important way to protect your child’s health during the pandemic, especially as new variants of the virus emerge.
Wellstar will be offering COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 years old. For more information or to book a vaccine appointment, contact your child’s Wellstar pediatrician.
You can also schedule a COVID-19 vaccine for your child at your local retail pharmacy or visit vaccines.gov to find a convenient vaccination site close to you.
Pediatric COVID-19 Testing
As new variants of the virus emerge and spread, parents may be worried about their child’s health and possible COVID-19 exposure.
Before you take your child for a COVID-19 test, it’s important to know the proper location for their medical circumstance.
Know Where to Go
If you are concerned your child may have been exposed to COVID-19 and is:
- Asymptomatic (showing no symptoms): Find a local COVID-19 testing site near you.
- Showing mild to moderate symptoms: Contact your Wellstar pediatrician’s office directly to determine the appropriate location to receive care.
- Experiencing severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, persistent high fever, unable to keep liquids down, lethargy, or severe gastrointestinal symptoms: Seek immediate medical care at the nearest pediatric emergency department.
Choose the Right Location
Take your child to the right location for their medical circumstance.
For more information about the types of testing offered at Wellstar, visit our main COVID-19 testing page.
If you, your child or a loved one has been diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19, we encourage families to follow the CDC's recommended guidelines for quarantine or isolation, especially for school-aged children.
Keeping Your Child Safe
The best protection against COVID-19 is prevention and stopping community spread.
Young children who are not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine are counting on the community to take action and get vaccinated. Be sure you and your family members who are age five and up get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Parents can also help protect their child’s health by teaching them the 3Ws — wear a mask, wash your hands and watch your distance.
Learn how you can make well happen.
For more health tips, visit our COVID-19 resource page.
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Highlights
Help Your Student Athlete Kick Off the Season Strong
Wellstar is here to help young athletes feel and perform their best. From sports physicals to start the season strong to treating injuries, our care teams specialize in providing expert, kid-centered care for your child.
Kick off the season with a sports physical
Schedule your child’s sports physical before game day arrives. Their care team will check their heart, lungs and overall health so they can feel their best on and off the field.
“Sports physicals are important to screen for any underlying conditions that might put your child at increased risk versus some of their peers,” said Dr. Eric Berg, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia medical director of pediatric surgical services. “It's one of the easiest ways to catch potential issues before kids hit the field. A little preparation now can help prevent injuries later.”
Schedule a sports physical with your child’s pediatrician. You can also visit Wellstar Urgent Care, which takes walk-ins and offers online scheduling.
Take time for rest and hydration
For optimal performance in sports, young athletes need to fuel their bodies—and take breaks when needed.It’s recommended that student athletes consume up to 20 ounces of fluid one hour before an activity and 5 ounces every 15 minutes during the activity.
“Proper nutrition and hydration are critical for all students, but particularly for athletes who are more active and burning more calories,” said Dr. Lindsay Stephenson, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia pediatric orthopedic surgeon. “I recommend using the nutritional guide released by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. This information makes it easier for students and their parents to understand the nutritional needs of the body to perform in the classroom and during competition.”
Read the nutritional guidelines.
Children also need to incorporate rest into their routine so they don’t overtrain. Kids often enjoy playing with family and friends, and they may not realize they need to take a break, according to Dr. Natalie Witte, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia sports medicine physician.
“They may be more sore than they are normally and not recovering,” Dr. Witte said. “If they’re not hungry after training, they might be so depleted that they’re nauseous or dizzy.”
If your child isn’t feeling well, your family’s pediatrician or sports medicine specialist can evaluate them for injury or illness so they can get back to their favorite activities sooner.
Highlights
BackToSchoolCare: Checking in on Your Child’s Health
As you prepare for the new school year, give your child a positive start by completing your own homework assignment—checking in on their health.
Before heading back to the classroom, prioritize your child’s physical and emotional well-being with a visit to your family’s Wellstar pediatrician. Our compassionate pediatricians share your goal of keeping children healthy as they grow.
“I believe in treating the whole child. What I mean by that is, of course, their physical health is very important, but I also feel that their emotional health is very important,” said Wellstar Pediatrician Dr. Brandi Lewis. “My goal is for all my patients to be resilient, happy and healthy. My role is to work with families to accomplish that goal.”
Preventative check-ups and screenings help children stay ahead of health issues, and our pediatricians will ensure your child is up to date on their vaccines and discuss which immunizations are needed to prevent disease. Your family’s pediatrician can also help you navigate health requirements at your child’s school.
Heading back to school healthy
Teach your child healthy habits so they can feel their best throughout the school year.
Practice good hygiene.
Show children how to wash their hands properly and remind them to do it frequently. Do not send your children to school if they are sick.
Get moving.
Children should have about 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity every day. Staying active can be a fun family activity—ride bikes around the block, play tag in the yard or go for a walk in the park.
Eat healthy.
Teach children about good nutrition by encouraging them to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and limiting sugary drinks.
Get plenty of sleep.
Children aged 3 to 5 should get about 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day. Children 6 to 12 years old should get nine to 12 hours, and teenagers need about 8 to 10 hours.
Highlights
Start the School Year Right: Your Back-to-School Check List
As you prepare for the new school year, give your child a positive start by completing your own homework assignment—checking in on their health.
Wellstar Children’s of Georgia is home base for expert kid care, helping the whole family feel their best with wellness exams, sports physicals and immunizations—plus pediatric emergency departments, urgent care centers and specialty services.
Back-to-school check list
Teaching your child healthy habits now will help them feel their best throughout the school year and beyond.
Check in for a check-up.
Preventative check-ups and screenings help kids stay ahead of health issues. During an annual wellness visit, our pediatricians will ensure your child is up to date on their vaccinations and talk to you about which immunizations are recommended to prevent disease. They will also help you navigate school health requirements.
“We believe in treating the whole child. What I mean by that is, of course, their physical health is very important, but we also feel that their emotional health is very important,” said Wellstar Children’s of Georgia Pediatrician Dr. Brandi Lewis. “Our goal is for all our patients to be resilient, happy and healthy.”
Eat healthy.
Teach children about good nutrition by encouraging them to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and limiting sugary drinks and snacks. When kids head back to school, keep them on the right track with healthy after-school snacks.
Stay hydrated and keep cool.
Make sure kids drink plenty of water to help their bodies regulate temperature. Summer athletes should drink up to 20 ounces before practice and 5 ounces every 15 minutes during the activity. On especially hot days, it’s also important to remind your children about moderation: They should take frequent breaks in shady areas, and make sure they don’t push themselves too hard.
“Kids can become dehydrated faster than adults,” said Dr. Eric Berg, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia medical director of pediatric surgical services. “If they’re already thirsty, they may already be mildly dehydrated.”
Move your body.
Children should have around 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity every day. Staying active can be a fun family activity—ride bikes, play tag or go for a walk.
Get sports-ready.
Schedule your child’s sports physical before game day arrives. Their care team will check their heart, lungs and overall health so they can feel their best on and off the field.
“Sports physicals are important to screen for any underlying conditions that might put your child at increased risk versus some of their peers,” Dr. Berg said.
Catch some z’s.
Kids 3 to 5 years old should get about 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day. Children 6 to 12 years old should get nine to 12 hours, and teens need about 8 to 10 hours.
Practice good hygiene.
Show children how to wash their hands properly and remind them to do it frequently. Do not send your children to school if they are sick.
Wear backpacks properly.
Kids' backpacks should not weigh more than 10 to 15% of their body weight. For example, if your child weighs 60 pounds, their backpack should be under 6 to 9 pounds.
“A poorly fitted or overloaded backpack can place extra strain on a growing child's back, neck and shoulders,” said Wellstar Children’s of Georgia Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Albert Pendleton. “Watch for signs like shoulder pain, red strap marks or leaning forward while walking.”
Understand your emotions.
Emotional well-being is as important as physical health, and the new school year comes with a lot of change for kids. Help your child understand their feelings and how to cope by listening and validating their thoughts, talking through expectations, visiting their school and new classrooms, and looking ahead to what the year could be like.
With more than 80 pediatric locations across Georgia, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia is always here to support families through the big leaps, growing pains and everything in between. Find a pediatrician near you and book your child’s back-to-school exam so they can start the year strong.