The below information is for last year’s flu season. For the most recent and up to date information, please sign up for our newsletter here or visit this page
Thank you!
New York State is showing high flu activity including 7 counties with widespread flu activity
Last updated for 2019-2020 Flu Season:
FLU VACCINES IN STOCK
We have Flu Shot nurse visits for Commercial Insurance for all ages and all ages for VFC* at this time: but a limited number per day based on patient safety and staffing
FLU VACCINES NOT IN STOCK
Flu Mist nurse visits for Commercial Insurance AND VFC
If you have a nurse visit or a well visit and would like to get the Flu Vaccine during your well visit, fill out the Influenza Screening Form below (it will save you time in the office)
Please note that it will save time in the office if you answer the Flu Screening Form and then print it out to bring with you – Click Link Below
Flu Vaccine Screening Form – please fill out and print with you for your flu vaccine
We do NOT have Flumist (nasal spray flu) at this time but will have a limited supply this year. Please note that the Flumist had enjoyed years of better flu coverage during years of mismatched strains (when the strain that was in the vaccine was not matched to what was going around). We stopped carrying the Flumist due to reduced protection from the H1N1 strain. Medimmune is the manufacturer and has submitted studies showing that they have fixed the issue related to reduced protection for H1N1. As a result the CDC and the AAP have issued recommendations that either vaccine is acceptable. We will send another notification when the Flumist arrives
Call us for SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS.
Same day flu vaccine visits will be offered; as in previous years. We will update here if we do not have vaccine OR adequate staffing to give flu vaccine. We also encourage you to sign up for our newsletter (see the Newsletter area of our website or click here). Please remember that if your child is receiving their first flu vaccine, (or only had one vaccine previously) 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 8:00 am to make a same day visit. For those patients who have physicals scheduled, we will offer Flu Shots during your appointment – please fill out the screening questionnaire. In most cases, there is not a copay BUT there may be a copay related to nursing/administration services (depends on your insurance).
*Refers to VFC or Vaccine for Children program for patients with Medicaid, Child Health Plus or with no insurance (e.g. Fidelis, CDPHP Medicaid, CDPHP Child Health Plus, MVP Medicaid).
Links to Vaccine Information Statements for Influenza Vaccines:
Flu Shots – Seasonal Influenza shots for ages 6 months on up
Flu Mist – Seasonal Influenza Nasal Spray for 2 years to 49 years
Vaccine Information Statements – All vaccines and view statements in other languages
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which vaccine is preferred for my child with Asthma? What about Egg Allergy
The flu shot is the preferred vaccine according to the ACIP (from the CDC). Although the Flu Mist appears to offer better protection for children with asthma, there is ongoing monitoring for how the Flu Mist may trigger asthma (similar to a cold or virus). Either vaccine is acceptable for those with Egg Allergy. They are both safe for egg allergy.
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 the vaccine this year, if I had last years flu vaccine?
Last years vaccine will not provide protection for this years influenza illness. 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 this is your first year for the vaccine, OR if you have had no doses of the vaccine before 2009. The interval between doses is 28 days.
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