Children’s Day is a South Korean national holiday highlighting the dignity of children and their need for love, care and respect. It is also a day to honor adults that have contributed to improving the lives of children. The holiday was founded by the Korean children’s writer, Pang Chong-Hwan, in 1923 as a way to instill a sense of independence and national pride in children. 

 

Children of all ages are celebrated and the entire community is involved in the festivities. Many cities have parades and public activities and museums, zoos, amusement parks and movie theaters offer free admission to children. Traditional games, such as yut are played and children receive gifts from family and friends.

 

In the spirit of the holiday, KHEIR is reminding parents and caretakers about the importance of children receiving preventive healthcare. Regular visits to the family physician allow the doctor to evaluate the general health, growth and development of your child. Through the Healthy Child Program by Kaiser Permanente at the KHEIR-S. Mark Taper Foundation Community Clinic, children can receive:

 

Well-baby exams

Pre-school and school physicals

Diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases

Developmental assessments

Hearing and viion screening

Immunizations, and more!

 

Immunizations are especially important for infants and young children. While newborn babies are naturally immune to many diseases, the duration of this immunity may last only a month to about a year. If a child is not vaccinated and is exposed to a disease germ, the child’s body may not be strong enough to fight the disease.  The recommended immunizations are:

 

Birth: Hep B

2 to 6 months: Hep B, DTaP, IPV, PCV, Hib

12 to 18 months: MMR, Varicella, DTap, PCV, Hib, Hep A, Influenza

2 to 3 years: Influenza

4 to 6 years: DTaP, IPV, MMR, Varicella, Influenza

 

To schedule an exam or immunization visit for your child, please call the KHEIR-S. Mark Taper Foundation Community Clinic at (213) 637-1070, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information and enrollment assistance for free or low-cost healthcare coverage programs are also available.