The office will be closed on Saturday, April 13. we apologize for the inconvenience!

Flu vaccine 2022 info!! And a few other infectious diseases

by |  September 2nd, 2022
  

>Flu shots and flu nasal spray vaccine are here. The details for this year’s vaccine clinic:

  • As a reminder, masks are required in the office.
  • Saturday flu vaccine clinics: We will offer flu vaccine by appointment only (for our patients AND their parents) on Saturday Sept 10th from 9:00 am—12:30pm. Other vaccines will not be given at this time. We plan on additional flu vaccine clinics on 9/24, 10/8, 10/22, 11/5, and 11/19. Please no walk-ins.
  • Prior to your appointment, please print/fill out/bring this consent formfor each person receiving a flu vaccine.
  • Payment and charges: Our office needs updated insurance information and a credit card on file prior to your flu vaccine appointment. There is no out-of-pocket cost for our patients. For parents, we do not bill insurance so the cost is $35 for flu shots and $40 for flu nasal spray due at time of injection.
  • If your child is sick (fever of 100.4 F or above), please cancel and reschedule the flu vaccine appointment.
  • Flu vaccine with well checks: We will offer flu vaccine at scheduled well check appointments during regular office hours.
  • Flu vaccine with ‘sick’ visits: We will offer flu vaccine to patients who have appointments for non-infectious sick visits.
  • Flu vaccine for tag-a-long siblings: If you bring one child in for a well check and want a sibling to come along and get a flu vaccine that day, please notify the office ahead of time and print/fill out/bring the flu consent form.
  • Flu vaccine eligibility details:

—Children ages 6 months and up are eligible to receive flu shot.

—Children under 9 years of age receiving flu vaccine for the first time need 2 doses, given at least 4 weeks apart for optimal protection.

—Healthy people, non-pregnant people ages 2 years—49 years old can receive Flumist nasal spray. Children with a history of asthma or wheezing in the past 12 months are not eligible for Flumist.

  • Get your flu shot now. Flu vaccine protects against the 4 most likely circulating flu strains this year (two A strains and two B strains). Flu vaccine protection lasts through the typical flu season from October to April, so it is appropriate to get flu vaccine as soon as possible.

>COVID-19 Vaccine Update: This week, the FDA and Advisory Committee to the CDC authorized the Pfizer Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 12 and up. (*Moderna was also authorized for ages 18+). Here are the details:

  • The Bi-valent vaccine will protect against the original strain of COVID-19 as well as an mRNA component in common between the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5 to offer better protection against the omicron variant of the virus.
  • This Bi-valent vaccine will replace the original vaccine as the authorized ‘booster’ shot for people ages 12 and up.
  • The BA.4 and BA.5 strains are causing most infections in the US currently and are predicted to be circulating this fall and winter.
  • Anyone age 12 and up is eligible to receive the Bi-valent single dose booster shot if it has been at least 2 months since completing the primary 2-dose series or at least 2 months after receiving a prior booster shot.
  • The FDA has NOT yet authorized this Bi-valent vaccine for use in children under 12 years of age. The current recommendation is to use the original monovalent vaccine for this age group. Children age 5-11 may receive a single booster dose of the original monovalent vaccine at least 5 months after completing the primary 2 dose series. Stay tuned.

>Monkeypox:

This is an evolving situation, so please know that information may change over time. As of August 30, Texas has about 1600 cases, mostly in adults ages 25-45. In Texas, there have been 9 pediatrics cases in people ages 11-17 and 88% of those cases were in males.

The virus is not considered sexually transmitted because there are ways for the virus to spread without sexual intercourse and anyone in close/household contact with someone infected with monkeypox is at risk. To prevent spread, the recommendations are:

  • Avoid close skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that may be monkeypox
  • Avoid contact with objects used by a person infected (utensils, cups, bedding, towels, clothing)

The Jynneos vaccine supply is very limited, so it is being offered to higher-risk individuals currently.

411 Pediatrics

About

Dr. Ari Brown is a pediatrician and a mom. Dr. Brown is Board Certified and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has been in private practice for over 20 years. Her passion to advocate for children and educate families extends beyond the office setting. She is the co-author the bestselling "411" parenting book series including Expecting 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for your Pregnancy, Baby 411, and Toddler 411. Dr. Brown has received several professional awards including the Ralph Feigin, MD Award for Professional Excellence, the prestigious Profiles in Power Award by the Austin Business Journal for her service to the community, Austin's Favorite Pediatrician by Austin Family Magazine, and Texas Monthly Magazine's Super Doctor.

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