RSV Shot

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under a year. It can cause life-threatening problems with breathing, especially in children with heart or lung disease. Although most children with RSV have a mild course, it can lead to hospitalization and severe illness in young children.

This fall, there is a new option to help prevent severe cases of RSV in young infants. We are very excited about this new preventative therapy and strongly recommend that all of our patients under nine months old receive it this fall.

The RSV shot is not a vaccine. Instead of creating an immune system response to create antibodies like typical vaccines, this shot provides “passive immunity” by giving the baby antibodies ready to fight the virus.

We have had a similar injectable medication for many years, which was only available to babies born very prematurely or with certain types of heart disease. This medication was known as Synagis (palivizumab) and has been used safely for over 20 years. The new medication is Beyfortus (nirsevimab) and is available to all infants during their first RSV season. Although Beyfortus is new, it is based on a therapy available for many years and has undergone routine, rigorous testing for effectiveness and safety that all medications must pass. We feel confident in its safety and efficacy for our patients.

Starting October 1st, infants born between October 1st and March 31st will receive one dose of Beyfortus soon after birth. Infants born between April 1st and September 30th will receive one shot of Beyfortus in October of their first year. High-risk infants may also receive a dose of Beyfortus in the fall of their second RSV season.

Our pediatricians highly recommend the RSV shot for all babies under eight months. We are very excited about this critical preventative medication’s impact on our community!

Beyfortis may be given on the same day as any vaccine.

Flu Vaccine

Influenza (flu) is a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, flu significantly affects many children and their families. Annual flu vaccination offers the best protection against flu and its potentially severe complications in children. Parents can help children fight the flu by getting themselves and their children vaccinated against the flu each year.

Children younger than five years old – especially those younger than 2 – and children of any age with certain chronic health conditions, like asthma and diabetes, are at higher risk of developing potentially serious flu complications. Because these groups of children are at higher risk, they must get a seasonal flu vaccine to help prevent flu and reduce their risk of being hospitalized or dying from flu if they get sick.

While not at higher risk, healthy children five years and older can spread flu to vulnerable family members. Vaccinating everyone six months and older against flu yearly is vital to help protect those most at risk.

If this is your child’s first flu vaccine, they will need two doses at least four weeks apart.

If your child is scheduled for a checkup visit during the fall, a flu vaccine may be given during that checkup visit. If you would prefer to bring your children to see the nurse and receive the flu vaccine with a quick visit, we have made this option even easier this year. 

COVID-19 Vaccine

Although the pandemic is over, COVID-19 remains an endemic, or persistent, virus that can continue to cause illness and life disruption. Thankfully, we see fewer cases of COVID-19 than in the past few years, and the ones that we see tend to be mild.

The newest COVID-19 vaccination is a monovalent vaccine aimed at one of the latest strains of the virus (XBB.1.5.) This vaccine appears to protect against that particular strain and some of the even newer strains identified recently.

The CDC recommends this vaccine for everyone six months and older. If this is the first COVID-19 vaccine your child has received, they should receive two doses four weeks apart. If they have previously been vaccinated against COVID-19, they only need one dose this fall. We will be providing Moderna brand COVID-19 vaccines this year.

The COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time as any other vaccine.

How does “Flu Shot Clinic” work?

1. Call to make an appointment

You’ll need to make sure that you make appointments for everyone in your group who will get an injection. This may include your children and even adults in your family. You must specify for each person which injection(s) you would like to have given.

2. Take care of details

Ensure we have accurate insurance information for the children in your group. We can file insurance claims for our patients; in most cases, no copay is required. For adults, there is a charge of $35 for the flu shot and $40 for the flu mist. Our billing staff will contact you before your appointment to arrange payment so your visit can be handled efficiently.

4. See the nurse and receive your vaccination

After you arrive, go ahead and prepare to get the kids out of the car, but wait in your car until the nurse calls you to our back door.  She will escort you into the flu vaccine area and administer the vaccines.

5. Go on your way

And feel good that you’ve helped your family and community stay healthier!