Central California Alliance for Health, Dignity Health, MCOE Partner to Promote Well-Child Checkups

The Central California Alliance for Health, in collaboration with Dignity Health and Merced COE, announced the launch of the Well-Child Checkup partnership to promote routine health checkups for children and adolescents in Merced County ahead of the upcoming school year.

“Staying on schedule with children's vaccines is a crucial step for school readiness,” said Central California Alliance for Health Chief Health Equity Officer Dr. Omar Guzman. “Vaccines and regular doctor visits are foundational elements ensuring kids have the healthiest start possible in life.”

The campaign officially launched at a press conference held Thursday, April 4, at the MCOE Downtown Center. The initiative aims to raise awareness for parents and guardians about the importance of attending routine health checkups and maintaining necessary immunizations for their children. The campaign includes billboards and commercials and other media.

“You want to get ahead of the curve. You want to make sure you have those appointments now,” stated Merced County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steve Tietjen. “Schools have rules,” Tietjen continued to say that students must have necessary immunizations before enrollment in school.

Dignity Health Director of Rural Health Clinics Jessica Escobar, RN emphasized the importance of routine health checkups for children and the role they play in early detection of illnesses, prompt intervention and empowering parents as health partners.

The goal of the collaboration is to raise awareness on the significance of well-child checkups and ensure that children in Merced County receive the care necessary to succeed in school.

Visit the California Department of Public Health K-12 Immunization page to view a list of necessary immunizations.

To learn more about wellness checkups, click here.