jdcpediatrics

Sports Physical: When, Where, Who Should Do It?

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 16:57:10 GMT

The form is due, what do you do? We've all been there. Paperwork piles up, and sports physicals sneak up on us just before our children's sport or activity begins.

To make life easier (and what parent wouldn't like that), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends asking to have a sports physical when scheduling your child's next routine well-child visit .

All middle-school through college kids benefit from a sports physical during well-child visit. The reason is simple: All kids are athletes―the high school soccer player, the junior high performer in the school musical and the skateboarding middle schooler down your block. You don't have to play an organized sport to be an athlete.

Many children participate in physically demanding activities like snowboarding, skiing, jogging, climbing and hiking. Other children are not physically active at all. All of these children should receive a sports physical from their pediatrician, also known as their medical home . The AAP is against mass physicals (such as in a school gymnasium) and using urgent care settings . These places often lack privacy and a healthcare provider who knows your child and has access to past medical records.

Read the full AAP article on Sports Physicals here.

If your child needs a physical form filled out by us, keep in mind the following requirements:

If your child has had a well visit within the last year.....

You will need to schedule a form visit appointment (call the office or schedule on our website), where a medical assistant will take vitals and update your child's health history. This is so that we can determine what, if any, changes may have occurred in your child's health since the last well visit. Before arriving for your appointment, please make sure all parental information on the form is completed . Many forms have a separate section for parents to complete, or an area where personal information such as name, address, phone numbers, etc. needs filled in. If this information is not completed before you leave the office, we cannot finish completion of the form. Once the form is completed (please allow a minimum of 48 hours), we will either return it to you securely through your patient portal, or you may pick it up in person at our office. If you prefer, when you provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with your form, we will mail it back to you. There is a $20 fee for form visits .

If your child has NOT had a well visit within the last year.....

You will need to schedule a well visit appointment (call the office or schedule on our website), and your form will be completed during that visit. Before arriving for your appointment, please make sure all parental information on the form is completed. Many forms have a separate section for parents to complete, or an area where personal information such as name, address, phone numbers, etc. needs filled in. This will save time during your visit and prevent any distractions from discussions with the doctor, etc. if this is done ahead of time. There is no form fee when the form is completed at the well visit.

Flu Vaccine is Here!

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 14:33:36 GMT

JDC Pediatrics now has flu vaccine available for our patients. The flu vaccine is recommended for all children 6 months through 18 years of age. This vaccine will provide protection through the 2026-2027 flu season, and your child should receive it as soon as possible.

There are three ways you can schedule a flu vaccine appointment:

Click here to schedule an appointment . You do not need to have a patient portal account to use this option.
Log in and schedule through your child's patient portal account.
Call 717-791-2680 , option 1 or 2, and speak with a staff member.

Flu vaccine appointments are available Monday through Friday during normal office hours. However, if your child already has an appointment (of any kind) scheduled with our office during flu season, you may have the flu vaccine given to your child at that visit, as long as the child is healthy and feeling well. You do not need to let us know ahead of time - simply ask the medical assistant when you are taken to your exam room. We normally offer the flu vaccine to all patients coming in for appointments, whether or not they have asked for it ahead of time. Siblings may also receive the vaccine at the same time.

If this is the first time your child (up to and including age 8) is receiving a flu vaccine, he or she will need a second dose after 30 days.

Even if you have previously declined a flu vaccine for your child, please consider this:

Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause severe illness and even death in children. The flu vaccine is safe, effective, and can be given alongside other routine immunizations and the COVID-19 vaccine. All children age 6 months and older should get their vaccine before influenza starts circulating in your community, preferably by the end of October (or sooner). Everyone around your children should be vaccinated, too.

Getting sick with the flu can be costly, possibly requiring doctor visits, hospital stays, and lost time from work to care for sick children. It is always better to prevent a disease than to have to treat it or live with the consequences of having it. Getting a flu shot each year is the BEST way to protect your children, their friends, and their family members, and most insurance plans cover the vaccine. If you have any questions about the flu vaccine, ask your child's physician. You may also visit the following links for more information on the 2026-2027 influenza season and vaccine.

Consumer Safety Alert: Squishy Toys

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:13:13 GMT

Consumer Safety Alert: CPSC Warns Consumers About Fake and Counterfeit Squishy Toys; Reiterates Warning About Serious Burn Hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers about fake and counterfeit squishy toys that may pose serious risks to children. CPSC is also reiterating its warning about serious burn hazards associated with a viral social media trend encouraging children and teens to microwave squishy toys.

Squishy toys — including popular animal, food, and character-shaped squeeze toys — are widely sold through online marketplaces, social media, discount stores, and other retailers. CPSC is aware of fake and counterfeit versions that do not comply with federal safety requirements for children’s toys, including requirements addressing water beads, small parts, lead, phthalates, and other hazardous substances.

Videos shared online may depict the toys expanding, changing texture, or bursting when heated. These demonstrations are dangerous and should never be attempted or imitated.

Read the full article here .

Measles Update for Our Families

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 22:13:46 GMT

Measles has recently been declared an emergency by the Department of Health in several nearby counties, including Lancaster, York, Dauphin, and Lebanon. We are actively monitoring the situation and taking steps to ensure vaccine availability. The MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine is now available in our office, and appointments may be scheduled online or by calling our office.

MMR Vaccine Guidelines During an Outbreak

Children must be at least 6 months old to receive the MMR vaccine.
Ages 6-12 months:
An early dose can be given.
This dose does not count towards the routine series .
Your child will still need two additional doses after their first birthday.
Ages 12-15 months:
The first routine MMR dose is typically given at the 12–15-month visit.
If your child has not yet had their 12-month visit, you may schedule an early vaccine visit.
Ages 12 months to 4 years:
The second dose can be given earlier than usual during this outbreak period.
The second dose must be given at least 28 days after the first dose .

Is Your Child Sick?

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:39:12 GMT

Before you pick up the phone to call us for an appointment you may want to check JDC's new Symptom Checker . Here you will find helpful advice on managing your child’s symptoms.

What should you do when your child falls and gets a bump on the head? Should you be worried about your child's fever or sinus congestion? These are questions that all of us have. Often they come up in the evenings and weekends when your doctor's office is closed.

Symptom Checker may help. This is an online tool, using protocols endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, that allows parents to click on a body part, select a symptom, and receive advice on how to treat minor illnesses at home or when to seek professional medical help. This tool also includes First Aid advice, Dosage Tables, and Parent Advice on a wide range of topics (found by clicking on the "hamburger" icon within the dark blue title bar).

We are always here to answer your questions and happy to give you advice over the phone. But sometimes you may have a simple question regarding your child's symptoms and what they may mean, and a simple click may provide the information you are looking for!

Please keep in mind, your doctor's advice and your good judgment should always take precedence over information in these care guides.

Our Position on Childhood Immunizations - PLEASE READ!

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 18:28:09 GMT

To Our Patient Families:

We are aware of the recent changes to the federal (CDC) immunization schedule which shifted several vaccines - including those for Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, and Meningitis - to a "shared decision-making" category.

As a pediatric practice dedicated to the long-term health and safety of your children, we want to clarify our stance: JDC Pediatrics will continue to follow the comprehensive immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Why We Follow the AAP Schedule:

* Evidence-Based Safety: The AAP's schedule protects children against 17+ dangerous diseases. These recommendations are based on decades of peer-reviewed data and clinical trials.

* Protection for the Vulnerable: Our waiting rooms are home to newborns and immunocompromised children. Following a complete vaccine schedule ensures that our office remains a safe environment for everyone.

* Clinical Consensus: The AAP remains the primary clinical authority for pediatricians; it continues to support these vaccines as "essential" and has noted that the recent CDC changes reflect a departure from evidence-based medicine and it has explicitly rejected the new CDC "Core 11" framework.

Our Relationship with Families:

We believe that a trusting partnership between a pediatrician and a parent is vital for a child's well-being. This trust is built on a shared commitment to evidence-based preventative care.

Because we view the AAP-recommended vaccines as the medical standard of care, our practice requires all patients to adhere to the full AAP immunization schedule. We respect that parents want the best for their children, but we cannot provide care that falls below what we believe to be the safest clinical standard. Families who choose to decline or significantly delay these essential vaccines will be asked to find a provider whose philosophy better aligns with their preferences.

We are always happy to discuss the science and safety of any vaccine with you during your child's visit.

AAP Opposes Federal Health Officials' Unprecedented Move to Remove Universal Childhood Immunization Recommendations

AAP Releases Its Own Evidenced-Based Immunization Schedule

All About the AAP Recommended Immunization Schedule

Vaccines Your Child Needs by Age 6

Introducing Express Care Appointments at JDC!

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 20:54:16 GMT

We know how important it is to get quick, convenient care when your child isn't feeling their best. That's why we are now offering Express Care appointments, which you can schedule online through our website simply by clicking on the "Make an Appointment" button. There is no need to log in to your portal account . Appointments are available on weekdays at both our Enola and Camp Hill locations. Weekend appointments are available at our Enola location only.

Express Care appointments are available for only the following concerns:

Ear pain
Insect bites
Pink eye
Upper respiratory concerns including ear, throat, or sinus infection (without signs of respiratory distress)
Sore throat
Fever (3 months of age and older)
GI upset that started in the past 2-3 days

Here’s how it works:

Scheduling appointments online are limited — first come, first served, and are available at either of our locations (except for weekends, during which appointments are only available at Enola)..
Click on the " Make an Appointment " button in the upper right hand corner of this page. When scheduling, please select "All Providers".
If a different type of visit would better suit your child’s needs, please call our team to assist in scheduling.

We’re here to provide the care your family needs—quickly and compassionately!

Change in JDC's Hospital Visitation of Newborns

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 22:36:05 GMT

Please note the following change to JDC’s procedure for seeing your newborn in the hospital.

JDC's physicians are currently not seeing any newborns at UPMC Harrisburg, as in the past. This change will allow us to serve you better by providing more options for appointments in our office.

Babies born at UPMC, Penn State Hampden, or any other hospital will be seen by the hospital pediatrician soon after birth. When you inform the hospital that you have chosen JDC Pediatrics as your baby's pediatrician, you will then be directed to call our office and schedule an appointment upon discharge. New babies may need to be seen in our office within a few days of discharge – the hospital pediatrician will advise you as to how soon your baby needs to be seen. Please make sure before you leave the hospital to request that your baby's birth records be sent to JDC Pediatrics, and complete any necessary paperwork to make sure this happens.

Please register with us BEFORE your baby is born! Click here to read about what is required to join our practice with your newborn.

We Are Now Accepting Newborns

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 20:26:01 GMT

Are you expecting? Congratulations! We are now accepting newborns into the practice.

There is a lot to consider when choosing a medical home for your newborn baby. We invite you to learn more about our practice by perusing our website and talking to your friends or family members whose children are patients here.

Once you have decided to enroll with us, please click here to read about what is required to join our practice with your newborn.