Flu Immunizations – We have:

• Flu Shots for children from 6 months to 35 months of age (commercial insurance AND VFC*),
• Flu Shots over 3 (commercial insurance AND VFC*)
• Flumist over 2 ( VFC* only)

This week - There will be Nurse Visits every day unless posted otherwise here. Same day flu vaccine visits will be offered; as in previous years. We will update our ability to do flu shots each morning.  Please remember that if your child is receiving their first flu vaccine, and he/she is under 9 years; you will require 2 doses for best protection (minimum 28 days between doses).   If we post flu vaccine availability, please call starting at 8:30 am to make a same day visit. For those patients who have physicals scheduled, we will offer Flu Shots and Flumist during your appointment – please fill out the questionnaire below. There may be a copay related to nursing/administration services (this depends on your insurance).

Screening Questionnaires - If you are ALREADY coming in for an appointment and anticipate recieved a flu vaccine DURING your visit, please complete the appropriate form and bring with you:

• If you are coming in for a Seasonal Flu Vaccine, please complete the following form: (Seasonal Flu Vaccine Screening Questionnaire).
• If you are a parent ALSO getting a vaccine in our office, please complete a Parent registration for vaccines.

Available Influenza Vaccines:

• Seasonal Flu Shots for children 6-35 months of age with commercial insurance and VFC
• Seasonal Flu Shots for children over 3 years of age with commercial insurance and VFC
• Seasonal Flu Mist for children age 2 and up with VFC

Vaccines Not Available at this time:

• Flu mist for commercial insurance
  

* VFC is the Vaccine for Children Program and covers those patients with Medicaid, Child Health Plus or with no insurance.

Links to Vaccine Information Statements for Influenza Vaccines:

• Flu Mist - Seasonal Influenza nasal vaccine for ages 2-49 years
• Flu Shots – Seasonal Influenza shots for ages 6 months on up

Frequently Asked Questions:

Which vaccine is preferred for my child with Asthma?

The flu shot is the preferred vaccine according to the 2011 ACIP (from the CDC).  Although the flumist appears to offer better protection for children with asthma, there is ongoing monitoring for how the flumist may trigger asthma (similar to a cold or virus).  Upon review of these recommendations, we are generally only recommending the flumist for children with mild asthma, who have not had a significant exacerbation (episode) in the last 12 months.  Children with asthma have been studied.  These studies show that the Flumist is more effective in preventing influenza that the flu shot.

Why can’t I pre-book Flu Vaccine Appointments?

Our office staff have been following a policy we developed many years ago. This policy was developed due to challenges in vaccine supply, demand, variations in delivery, and staffing issues. For many years we scheduled appointments in advance, only to cancel and reschedule appointments. Some patients had appointments rescheduled 2-3 times as supply ran out. There were also times when the entire flu schedule was cancelled as the extra nurse scheduled called in sick. These issues led to our current policy. This policy ensures that we have vaccine on the day you schedule and the staff to administer it. While we recognize that parents have their own challenges in coming in on a same day basis, we feel this is the fairest approach to these issues. Thank you for your understanding. Please note that we DO NOT allow walk in appointments for flu vaccine.

What can I anticipate for the supply of Seasonal Flu Vaccine?

While every year brings challenges, it appears that this years supply will meet our patients needs. While there may be issues outside of our control, we will do our very best to obtain vaccine that meets our patients needs.

Do I need to worry about H1N1 this year?

This years vaccine will protect against three different flu viruses: an H3N1 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus.  Immunization remains to be the best strategy to prevent the most common strains likely to circulate.

Do I need the vaccine this year, if I had last years flu vaccine?

While the strains that go around are likely to be the same as last year, as many as 50% of those vaccinated have lost their immunity and protection.   Therefore, we do recommend a dose of this years vaccine as well

What about the number of vaccinations?

Young children < 9 years will require 2 doses of the vaccine if you did not get a flu vaccine last year.  The interval between doses is 28 days.

Is thimerosal in the vaccine?

All of the vaccines ordered by Four Seasons Pediatrics are thimerosal free.