ON LINE APPOINTMENTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR NEEDED FLU SHOTS

On Line Appointment Scheduling



Due to the delays in getting sufficient supply of both H1N1 and Seasonal vaccines, we still have a lot of vaccine that needs to be dispensed even though our last official flu shot clinic has passed.

We will continue to administer vaccine at well child visits. If you bring a sibling of the child to be seen for a well visit, we will offer vaccine for that child as well. Please notify the staff at check in so they can pull the siblings chart and this will save you a lot of time.


For those that do not have a well visit coming up and are in need of either first or second dosing we have a plan. We are introducing ON LINE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING with appointments available starting this Tuesday and for now can be scheduled in available slots through the end of January. Please take advantage of this option and schedule your children for any needed flu vaccine as soon as possible. Remember to wait 3-4 weeks between the doses needed for those less then 10 years of age for H1N1 and 4 weeks for those less then 9 years old that are receiving seasonal vaccine for the first time. Also remember that BOTH Seasonal and H1N1 are recommended for ALL children over the age of 6 months.


We are encouraging all to schedule these appointments ON LINE. We hope that if this succeeds, we can offer the same for the clinics next year and cut down significantly on the wait time. If you are unable to schedule on line, the only other option is to come by the office and pick up an appointment time in person. WE ASK THAT YOU DO NOT CALL THE OFFICE TO SCHEDULE ONE OF THESE APPOINTMENTS FOR A FLU SHOT. The staff will be unable to book flu shot appointments by phone. Trying to book these appointments by phone puts even more of a stress on the system as we try to handle your calls regarding illnesses as quickly as we can despite the increased volume due to the ongoing flu season. If you have trouble gaining access to the scheduler, try using a different web browser such as Internet Explorer.


Once you schedule the appointment, please be sure that you check the blog the night before that specific appointment to be sure there is no updated news regarding the supply of vaccine. We do not anticipate any further shortages but the way this whole process has occurred up to this date, nothing will surprise us.


These appointments will be accomplished in the office NOT down stairs. As you exit the elevator on the third floor, there will be signs directing you to the rear entrance to our office. Please wait in the hall at the door until you are called by the nurse.


Please complete all of the information requested on the site and put your child's name in the name slot. Please create a password so that if you have to change your appointment, you can have that option.


Ready or not click on the following link to make your appointment (clicking on this link will open the appoinment schedule in this window):


https://instant-scheduling.com/sch.php?kn=459988

Just click on the grey boxes on the first 2 pages and you will get to the calender to pick a date and time then on to the final page where you will enter the necessary information to confirm the appointment.


Disease Update


The trend continues downward on the disease activity and we are so thankful for that. This in no way should alter our strategy to get as many as we can vaccinated for both strains of flu this year. The early news on the mutated strains is that the vaccine in its' current form will offer protection. Always remember what we do know, vaccines are your BEST protection. What we don't know is what will happen next. Seasonal Flu is unfortunately starting to appear and could impact things significantly. The Holiday season is right around the corner and people will be traveling once again and that could also have an impact on disease activity.


Those that have been affected by the H1N1 disease could experience fatigue and cough for up to 2 weeks after they start feeling better. These symptoms have been shown to persist for even longer if the affected person returns to physical activity too soon. It is now recommended that those affected restrain from physical activity and exercise for 2 weeks following resolution of symptoms. Bottom line is if you can't seem to shake it, then rest will do you the most good. That does not mean that the children need to stay home from school but it might be wise to hold them out of their physical activities for 2 weeks.