Seasonal appointments: Considerations and recommendations

Most medical appointments do not need to take place during specific seasons. However, some medical appointments, like getting a flu shot and back-to-school checkups, may be more dependent on the season.

A person may make the following medical appointments depending on the season.

Some vaccinations may be more beneficial if people receive them in specific seasons.

People can get vaccinations from their doctor’s office, local pharmacy, health center, travel clinic, or health department.

Flu viruses typically circulate during fall and winter, which is known as flu season.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone ages 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season. Those between 6 months and 8 years may require 2 doses.

It can take about 2 weeks after the vaccination to develop protection against the virus.

Much like other respiratory viruses, COVID-19 has often peaked in the winter. As a result, a person may wish to get the COVID-19 vaccine in the fall or early winter, when the new vaccines become available. However, due to the unpredictability of the evolution of new variants of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 can peak at other times of the year, including summer.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anyone who has never received a COVID-19 vaccination should receive 1 dose. Those who are immunocompromised should get 2 to 3 doses.

The WHO outlines the following recommendations for those who have at least received one COVID-19 vaccination in the past:

The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine for adults ages 75 years and older and those ages 50 to 74 years if they have a chronic medical condition or weakened immune system.

A person can get the vaccine at any time of the year. However, the CDC recommends getting it in late summer and early fall, often during August to October.

If a person experiences symptoms of hay fever for several months out of the year, they may need to contact an allergist.

There is no specific season to contact an allergist. However, the season in which the symptoms appear may indicate what a person is allergic to. For example:

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), people between the ages of 3 and 21 years should have at least one checkup with a healthcare professional each year.

There are no guidelines suggesting that these checkups should take place just before the beginning of the academic year. However, scheduling a back-to-school checkup before classes begin can help ensure the child is healthy and ready for school.

A person may choose to visit the dentist twice a year for an oral exam and dental prophylaxis. A dental prophylaxis involves a full examination, plaque and tartar removal, and in some cases, a polish or fluoride treatment.

However, some people may need to visit the dentist more often or only once a year. It is best to speak with a dentist who can advise a person on how often they will require a checkup.

A person can make the following medical appointments once a year or every 2 years.

Some people choose to have regular yearly checkups with a healthcare professional. These often include a physical exam and preventive care, including:

The American Optometric Association (AOA) suggests that adults between the ages of 18 to 64 have a comprehensive eye exam at least every 2 years. Those older than 65 may require an eye exam twice a year.

Those who have an increased risk of eye and vision problems may require more frequent eye exams.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that a person visit an OB-GYN once a year for a well-woman visit. During this visit, they can speak with the OB-GYN about their sexual, reproductive, and overall health.

A person may need to make medical appointments based on specific guidelines set by trusted panels of health experts.

Most medical appointments do not need to take place during specific seasons. However, some people may benefit from making appointments to receive certain vaccinations at specific times of the year.

For example, the flu and COVID-19 are beneficial in the fall or early winter. The RSV vaccination may be beneficial in late summer and early fall, from August to October. Back-to-school checkups may also be helpful at the end of the summer break, before school starts again.

Other medical appointments can be scheduled once or twice a year, such as a well-woman visit with an OB-GYN, an oral health checkup with the dentist, and a comprehensive eye exam with an ophthalmologist.

A person can speak with a healthcare professional to find out more about which medical appointments are necessary and when to book them.