Influenza is upon us!  And yet, it is not too late to get your vaccine.  The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) now states that all eligible individuals between the ages of 6 months and 18 years receive the influenza vaccine annually.  We are pleased to be able to provide two vaccine options to help protect your family from serious influenza infection.

1. FluMist :  FluMist is a "live-virus" influenza vaccine that is available to medically qualifying individuals between the ages of 2 and 49 years old.  Because it is delivered as a gentle nose spray rather than an injection, FluMist has become quite popular among our pediatric patients!  Your pediatricians prefer it because it confers significantly longer immunity than does the injectable vaccine.  Furthermore, FluMist demonstrates significant "cross-protection" against circulating influenza strains during mismatched seasons.   As there are both age limitations and health requirements for eligibility, this vaccine is not the best option for everybody.   For more information on FluMist, or to see if you qualify for vaccination, please ask your physician or visit the FluMist website.
2. Traditional Influenza Shot:  We continue to have the traditional "flu-shot" available for people who do not qualify for FluMist.  This is the vaccine of choice for children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years, and for those with active asthma. 

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect our children from influenza.  However, children under 6 months of age are not eligible for influenza vaccination.  Influenza is spread through close contact.  So, we are calling for all siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers and babysitters to become immunized this year.  Because we cannot bill insurance for individuals with whom we do not have an established medical relationship, we are offering FluMist ($40) and the flu-shot ($35) to eligible individuals in a "fee-for-service" fashion.

In January of each year, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) the AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians) and the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice) release the updated United States Immunization Schedule.  This is the schedule used by the CPA pediatricians. (Childhood Immunization Schedule; Adolescent Immunization Schedule).  If you are not sure that your child is current on his/her immunizations, please contact us.  We always have appointments available to make sure your child is best protected against vaccine preventable illnesses.

We look forward to seeing you.  Stay healthy and wash your hands (a lot)!