A Guide to Preventive Health Screenings, Tests & Immunizations
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As seen in the February 2021 Issue of Advancing Care.
Birth – 18 Years
Immunizations:
Birth: Hepatitis B (HepB) – 1st dose
2 months old: HepB – 2nd dose, Rotavirus (RV1 or RV5) – 1st dose, Diphtheria, tetanus, & acellular pertussis (DTaP) – 1st dose, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) – 1st dose, Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13), Inactivated poliovirus (IPV)
4 months old: RV1 or RV5 – 2nd dose, DTaP – 2nd dose, Hib – 2nd dose, PCV13 – 2nd dose, IPV – 2nd dose
6 months old: DTaP – 3rd dose, Hib – 3rd dose, PCV13 – 3rd dose, IPV – 3rd dose, Flu shot – 1st dose, 2nd dose two weeks after 1st
9-to-12 months old: HepB – 3rd dose (if not received at 6 mos), IPV -3rd dose (if not received at 6 mos), Hib – 3rd dose (if not received at 6 mos), PCV13 – 4th dose
12-to-15 months old: MMR – 1st dose, Varicella (VAR) – 1st dose, Hepatitis A (HepA) – 1st dose
18 months old: IPV – 3rd dose, DTaP – 4th dose, HepA – 2nd dose
4-to-6 years old: IPV – 4th dose DTaP – 5th dose, flu shot, annually. MMR – 2nd dose, VAR – 2nd dose
11-12 years old: Flu shot, annually. Tdap, booster. HPV (Gardasil), Meningococcal – 1st dose
13-15 years old: Flu shot, annually
16 years old: Meningococcal – 2nd dose, flu shot
17-18 years old: Flu shot, annually
Physicals:
In the child’s first year, routine visits are scheduled during the first and second weeks of life, and at 2, 4, 6, 9 & 12 months. The infant’s first visit to the pediatrician may be as early as 2-3 days of age. Physicals are yearly after age 1.
At every visit to the pediatrician, ask questions about your child’s development, including language, movement, thinking, behavior and emotions.
A girl’s first gynecology exam is recommended at 13–15 years old.
Screenings:
Birth: Hearing
18 months: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
24 months: ASD
19-39 Years
Immunizations:
Flu shot, annually; one-time HPV vaccine (if not received as adolescent, male and female); COVID-19 vaccine, when available
Physicals:
Annually, including height, weight, blood pressure and blood work
Cholesterol/Heart Health Check: Annually, if there are known risk factors, otherwise every five years
Women: Breast exam: monthly at home; annually by physician; gynecological exam, annually
Men: Testicular exam: monthly at home; annually by physician
General Health: Annually, hearing, vision and dental
Screenings:
Skin: Annually for suspicious-looking moles or lesions
Historical illness: Annually for such family medical issues as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc.
Diabetes: Annually, if there are risk factors; biannually if BMI is 25/27+
Depression/Mental Health: Annually
Sexually Transmitted Infections: Depending on risk factors or patient request
Women: Cervical Cancer: Pap smear every 3 years
40-64 Years
Immunizations:
Flu shot, annually; one 2-dose shingles vaccine: 50+; COVID-19 vaccine, when available
Physicals:
Annually, including height, weight, blood pressure
and blood work
Screenings:
Skin: Annually for suspicious-looking moles or lesions
Colorectal: Annually 45+ unless there are risk factors; 10 years before onset of colorectal cancer in first-degree relative
Lung Cancer (CT scan): Annually 55-80 for those with history of heavy smoking who currently smoke or have quit within past 15 years
Depression/Mental Health: Annually
Sexually Transmitted Infections: Depending on risk factors or patient request
Hepatitis C screening: At least once in a lifetime for all adults aged 18 years and older, except in settings where the prevalence of HCV infection (HCV RNA‑positivity) is less than 0.1%
Women: Mammogram: annually, depending on risk factors; Pap smear every 3 years (or more frequently with risk factors)
Men: Prostate exam: 40-50+ annually, unless there are risk factors; PSA blood test: 40-50+ annually, unless there are risk factors
65 Years & Older
Immunizations:
High-dose flu vaccine, annually; Pneumococcal Pneumonia vaccine: one-time, 2-dose series (65+); one 2-dose shingles vaccine: 50+; COVID-19 vaccine, when available
Physicals:
Annually, including height, weight, blood pressure
and blood work
If you’ve had Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) for longer than 12 months, you can get a yearly “Wellness” visit once every 12 months. At this visit, you will develop or update a personalized prevention plan to help prevent disease and disability, based on your current health and risk factors. Your provider may also perform a cognitive impairment assessment.
Screenings:
Skin: Annually for suspicious-looking moles or lesions
Osteoporosis (Bone Density): Every 2 years 65+ (or earlier if postmenopausal with risk factors)
Fall Prevention: Baseline and then as recommended
Men: One-time abdominal ultrasound: 65-75 for current or former smokers or for never-smokers with a first-degree relative who had an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair or a fatal AAA
For general guideline purposes only; please consult your physician for specific recommendations.
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services