As the new academic year approaches, there’s a lot to prepare for the new beginning. It is important to actively start thinking about the transition back to school for your children to ensure they are ready to face the new year. With recent current events revolving around pandemics and contagious diseases, Abeer Medical Group advises parents with healthy tips for their kids to stay healthy, happy and safe to kickoff the school year. Immunization The Ministry of Health (MOH) recommends a series of immunizations beginning in infancy and including booster shots for school-age children. At Abeer, check with your child’s doctor to make sure all recommended immunizations are up to date. COVID-19 Vaccine Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect children and their communities from COVID-19. Children aged 6 months and older should get their first vaccine dose and be fully vaccinated before school or daycare starts. Get a Flu Shot If you are child has low immunity or associated with any special condition such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes, getting the flu vaccine each year will keep them safer. Children six months and older can get the flu vaccine each year. Sanitize Regularly Teach your children to wash their hands properly and dry their hands thoroughly with paper towels. Teach them to sanitize their hands each time they cough or sneeze, or train them to cover their mouth with fabric or tissue to protect themselves and others. Nutrition Help your kids make healthy food choices – even at school. Encourage them to eat plenty of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. Encourage them to choose water over juice or soda. Make sure to instill the habit of drinking water in order to avoid dehydration at school. Sleep Lack of sleep causes behavioral issues, mood swings, and trouble concentrating. An adequate sleep routine will keep kids stay focused and energetic at school. Start establishing a bedtime routine by providing early dinners and keeping digital devices away about an hour before bedtime. Vision With the widespread use of mobile gadgets and screen among children of all ages, it is recommended to examine a child’s eyesight and overall health of the eyes before the beginning of the school year to ensure productivity and proactive wellbeing. Annual Checkups Every child has a fundamental right to high-quality care. It is essential to impart knowledge pertaining to self care and health, not only for students but for the parents as well. Albeit the structured healthcare system in the Kingdom ensures maximum hygienic measures in daily life, but to ascertain health checks before returning to school reaffirms that the spread of common diseases can be prevented to a higher extent. Preemptive measures may contain checkups for any allergy, routine vital signs examination, or complete blood tests to rest assured and avoid any unanticipated transmission of disease to the fellows at school. Abeer consistently raises awareness about healthy living and the precautionary measures necessary to start a school year on the right foot. That is why Abeer designed a vigorous system that offers annual physicals/checkups not only for children, but for parents. Family medicine wellness checkups are crucial for continuous care. In alignment with the group’s mission to create awareness for prevention of healthcare issues and also in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, Abeer is offering the comprehensive health checkup pro- grams for children as part of its social responsibility to the local communities and families. The group believes in high quality healthcare at an affordable cost in order to ensure the whole community across the kingdom prevails the benefits. Abeer this year is offering a ‘Start Healthy’ consultation program on pediatric, dental, and ophthalmology for kids. The offer runs from August 22 to September 15, 2022. To book appointments, refer to the mobile application, call on 920015888, or visit the nearest branch.