Now that the State of Illinois has released guidelines to help school districts prepare for the return of students to the classroom this fall, the state's leading health official says it's time to get young people ready from a health standpoint.
Illinois Department of Public Health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says now is the time to schedule school physicals.
"We need to make sure that the kids get checked out by their providers and get their lifesaving immunizations. Earlier, during the pandemic, we have seen a decline in immunizations. So, now it's time to catch up. No more waiting...doctor's orders."
Dr. Ezike says a person's baseline health status impacts how he or she fares against the virus, so parents, teachers and school staff also need to get routine health screenings.