Get a Head Start on Health Requirements

If your student athlete needs a physical, or your child is due for shots, you can get those school requirements out of the way before summer heats up.

Pediatricians at Cook Children’s advise families not to wait until August to come in for a sports physical or the routine vaccines that incoming kindergarteners and seventh-graders need.

Sports physicals “Getting those updated physicals, immunization records and forms ready ahead of time is a good idea so that nothing is delayed,” said Bhavana Babber, M.D., who sees patients at Cook Children’s Pediatrics North Frisco.

Pediatrician offices can be jammed with students squeezing in their health checklist right before school starts. Dr. Babber compared it to the April frenzy for accountants.

“I like to refer to it as our tax season,” she said. “We 100% encourage early summertime appointments because we want to accommodate every single patient. Scheduling ahead of time can avoid that rush and give you time with your pediatrician to address any concerns.”

Doing a well-child visit earlier in the summer is a great chance for the pediatrician to measure growth and developmental milestones, Dr. Babber said. And if your child has an action plan for food allergy or asthma emergencies at school, that plan could be reviewed and modified during the visit.

Kid’s calendars can fill up quickly with camps, trips to the pool and other summer activities. That’s why Cook Children’s encourages families to make appointments as soon as possible – for a healthy start to the summer, and a less hectic August. Here’s what you need to know.

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Pre-participation Physicals

UIL requires an evaluation prior to participation in sports, cheerleading, drill team and marching band. The goal is to identify any issues — such as irregular heartbeat, vision problems, spine curvature or uncontrolled asthma – that might make workouts or competition hazardous. The form contains two parts:

1. Medical history – a list of yes/no questions about headaches, dizziness, chest pain, seizures, allergies and more. This portion must be filled out every year by the student and parent or guardian.

2. Physical exam – performed by a health care professional to check the student’s lungs, joints, vision, weight, heart rate, blood pressure and more. UIL requires the physical exam before the 7th, 9th and 11^th grades. Some school districts require it annually.

Dr. Babber has detected heart murmurs and high blood pressure while examining teens as part of their required physical. Follow-ups with a specialist are sometimes needed, she said.

The UIL form asks the provider to check one of three options: cleared for participation, cleared after completing additional evaluation or rehabilitation, or not cleared due to concerns.

Immunizations

The 2025-2026 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements chart, available in English and Spanish, lists the number of vaccine doses required to attend a K-12 school in the state. It’s the same as the 2024-2025 standards.

Parents should know that the required immunizations are safe and proven to stop the spread of contagious diseases, Dr. Babber said.

“Vaccines go through rigorous testing and monitoring for safety and effectiveness,” she said. “Side effects are typically mild and temporary, such as a sore arm or mild fever.”

Incoming kindergarteners should be up-to-date on: MMR (measles, mumps and rubella); DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis); IPV (inactivated poliovirus); Varicella (chickenpox); Hepatitis A; and Hepatitis B.

For students entering seventh grade, additional boosters are due for MCV4 (meningitis) and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis).

As the mom of two young children, Dr. Babber recommends telling your child what to expect ahead of their shots. She emphasizes family-centered care in her practice, encouraging her patients and their parents to ask questions. Knowledge is key.

Dr. Babber pointed out that vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles can cause severe complications, hospitalization and even death.

“Vaccines help the immune system recognize and fight off infections in children before they’re ever exposed,” she explained. “These vaccines are incredibly important for the health of your own child as well as the community.”

Sites across Cook Children’s offer a Comfort Menu to help patients relax and feel less of a pinch when the needle goes in. Items include cold spray and a buzzy tool on the skin for comfort and distraction.

Sunscreen, Swimming and Snacks

Here are a few more important safeguards from Dr. Babber for families to practice during the summer months:

Use sunscreen and wear a hat to prevent sunburn
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
Be vigilant around water to prevent drownings
Choose fruits, vegetables, yogurt and other nutritious snacks
Stay active and get outdoors
Get good sleep
Visit the dentist or eye doctor, if needed