Hello, I’m Dr. Derek Robinson, and I’m Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, wishing your child a bright future. Starting at birth, it’s important that your child receives regular checkups and vaccinations. Plan to take your newborn child to the health care provider in his or her first week of life, then every two to three months until 2 years of age and then every 6 months until 3 years of age. During each visit, your child’s health care provider will make sure your child is growing, developing and receiving important vaccinations to stay healthy now and into the future. At 3 years of age through the teenage years, your child continues to need yearly health checkups. At each visit, the health care provider should check your child’s height, weight and growth and give dietary and exercise advice for your child to stay healthy. These are key ages when your child, preteen and teen will need vaccinations. Talk to your health care provider about getting your child vaccinated. This is one of the most important things you can do to help ensure your child stays as healthy as possible. So call and schedule your child’s next well visit today. And as always, remember to talk to your health care provider about any concerns or questions you may have.