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LaSalle Medical Associates Nurse Elisabeth gives Eduaido Torres 13 a vaccination.

“Some people are still hesitant, but it’s time to get back to normal. Like any other transition, there’s still some uncertainty, but it’s time to get back to normal.”

(Redlands, Calif.)  Patients and parents of patients should call their doctor as soon as possible to schedule appointments for childhood immunizations, school physicals and overdue adult exams, said Dr. Albert Arteaga, president and founder of the Inland-Empire based healthcare provider.During the Covid-Pandemic shutdown, LaSalle advised people to stay home, and not come in for checkups, immunizations and other preventive care, Dr. Arteaga said. But with restrictions easing as vaccinations numbers increase, it’s time again for preventive care.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California will lift all restrictions June 15, prompting many school districts in the Inland Empire to prepare for in-person classes starting this fall.

“Schools will reopen, so kids will be required to have their immunizations, and that means getting them now,” Dr. Arteaga said. “Don’t wait until the day before school starts. Immunizations should be given now.”

LaSalle Medical Associates operates two clinics in San Bernardino and clinics in Fontana, Hesperia, Rialto, and Victorville.  Dr. Arteaga said appointments are available for preventive care.

It’s safer now for parents to bring their non-vaccinated children in to LaSalle clinics for immunizations and other treatments because LaSalle’s staff is all fully immunized against Covid, he said. Also, LaSalle doctors, nurses and staff members still observe all health-safety precautions by wearing face masks and face shields, washing and sanitizing hands and carefully cleaning the exam rooms and clinic facilities.

“I know that some people are still hesitant, but it’s time to get back to normal. Like any other transition, there’s still some uncertainty, but it’s time to get back to normal” Dr. Arteaga said.

“The pandemic has produced a long hiatus in preventive care, particularly for children, and we need to get caught up,” Arteaga said.

“Otherwise, what was a good idea in the wake of the pandemic is going to give rise to childhood diseases that would have been prevented by immunizations. And this isn’t a theoretical possibility. They will come back,” he said.

Dr. Arteaga is a nationally recognized expert on childhood immunizations. In 2012, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention selected him as California’s first “Childhood Immunization Champion.”

Aiden Cruz 4 receives a vaccination from LaSalle Medical Associates Nurse Megan

As national health experts study Covid vaccines for possible use in children, Dr. Arteaga said he is monitoring research reports to determine when it will be safe to immunize children against Covid.

“I believe Covid vaccinations will be approved for children over the coming months, and we will eventually have it for everybody,” he said.

“But in the meantime, we shouldn’t just wait around doing nothing,” Dr. Arteaga said. “We need to get the preventive care that we usually do, and we need to immunize our children against serious childhood diseases,” Dr. Arteaga said.

Adults also need to take care of themselves by scheduling overdue physicals and screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, colorectal disease and diabetes, he said. And they need to get vaccinated against Covid.

“Those who don’t, I assume we’ll see a rise in Covid infections with them,” Dr. Arteaga said. “That’s something that kind of goes with their choice.”

To schedule an appointment with LaSalle Medical Associates, call 1-855-349-6019.

About LaSalle Medical Associates: LaSalle Medical Associates is one of the largest independent minority-owned healthcare companies in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The corporate office is in Redlands.

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