FAQs about FLU/COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
My child is less than 9 years of age. Does he need a booster dose or a second dose of the Flu vaccine this year?
If your child is less than 9 years of age and has received at least TWO DOSES of Flu vaccine EVER before July 1, 2022, he only needs one dose of the 2022-23 Flu vaccine. The past doses do not need to have been received during the same or consecutive seasons.
If your child is less than 9 years of age and has only received ONE or NO doses of Flu vaccine before July 1, 2022, he needs to receive TWO doses of the Flu vaccine, given at least 4 weeks apart.
My child is scheduled for his physical soon. Can he get the Flu or COVID vaccine then?
Yes, we can administer the flu and COVID vaccines to your child during most check-ups and some sick visits.
Do you have Flumist vaccines this year?
Yes, we do have Flumist vaccine, the nasal form of the Flu vaccine. Flumist can only be given to children 2 years of age and older who do not have a history of asthma, wheezing within the past 12 months or other chronic medical problems. It is a live virus vaccine, so cannot be given if your child has received MMR or Varivax vaccine within the past 4 weeks. Your child must be able to sniff in the vaccine (and not blow it out), so make sure your child can “smell the flowers” if signing her up for Flumist!
My child is allergic to eggs. Can he still get the Flu vaccine?
Yes, for most children with an egg allergy, it is okay to receive either form of the Flu vaccine. If your child’s allergic reaction to eggs was more than just hives, then please talk to your child’s doctor first, as she may want to schedule the flu vaccine to be given during regular office hours.
My child just got their COVID-19 vaccine. Does she have to wait a certain time before getting her Flu vaccine?
First of all, great that she received the COVID-19 vaccine! NO, there is no wait time between receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and the Flu vaccine (or any other vaccine). It is also safe to receive both the Flu and COVID vaccines at the same time.
I signed up for one of the vaccine clinics, but then my child received his Flu or COVID vaccine during our office appointment. What do I need to do?
If your child receives his flu or COVID vaccine in the office before your clinic time, please CANCEL your scheduled clinic time through your confirmation email so that the slot will be available for another patient to use.
My child is a new patient of Piedmont Pediatrics but has not had his first appointment there yet. Can I still use the vaccine clinics?
Unfortunately, all new patients must have had a visit with a doctor in the office before signing up for the flu/COVID vaccine clinics. If he is a new patient (even if a sibling has already been seen), please call and make an appointment with one of our doctors for a new patient visit during regular office hours. The doctor will review your child’s past medical history and then will give him the flu and/or COVID vaccine during that visit.
One of my children is coming into the office for an appointment. May I bring my other children with me to get their flu and/or COVID vaccines?
Yes, as long as your other children are not ill, you can bring the others with you. Please tell the front desk staff at check-in that getting flu and/or COVID vaccines for the patient’s siblings.
Are you giving Flu vaccines to parents this year?
Yes, we will be giving Flu shots to parents this year (not Flumist). Parent vaccines will only be given during regular office visits, and NOT during Saturday vaccine clinics. Please tell the front desk when check-in if you want to get your flu vaccine. The cost of the vaccine for parents is $45; we are not able to file the cost with your insurance.
I tried to sign my child up for a flu vaccine clinic on your website but there are no time slots available. What do I do?
Keep on checking the website for availability as other patients may cancel their slots. We are also planning to add additional slots to vaccine clinics so more slots will open up! If you have other questions about availability or the vaccine clinics, please call our office.
My child can get the Flu vaccine at my pharmacy, but the staff there are requiring an order from you for the vaccine. Will you call in flu vaccines to the pharmacy?
No, in general, our doctors will not call in flu vaccine orders to pharmacies for our patients, as we do not know if the pharmacy staff is equipped and trained to care for any adverse reactions that may occur.
How many COVID vaccines does my child need as a primary series? If so, when?
Children 5 years of age and older receive TWO COVID vaccines, with the second dose at least three weeks after the second dose.
Children under 5 years of age will receive THREE COVID vaccines. The second dose is given at least three weeks after the second dose, and the third dose should be given at least eight weeks after the second dose.
Should my child get a booster COVID vaccine? If so, when?
If your child is 6 months – 4 years old, your child is not eligible for a Booster vaccine at this time.
If your child is 5 -- 11 years old, your child should receive a Booster or Third dose of the COVID vaccine five months after she received her second dose. Your child is currently not eligible for a second booster dose.
If your child is 12 years of age or older, he/she should receive a Booster or Third dose of the COVID vaccine at least two months after your child's second dose; this booster will be the updated bivalent vaccine. Your child is also eligible to get the Bivalent booster dose if it is at least two months after he/she received a monovalent booster dose.
Please note that we use multi-dose vials for our injectable flu shots; these vials contain a trace amount of thimerosal. Our doctors do not believe that there is any harm in this and recommend it without hesitation.
Please remember that your child and family should not come to vaccine clinics if your child is currently in isolation for COVID.
Additional information about the Flu and COVID vaccines, including the Vaccine Information Sheets, can be found on our website. We will also post any updates or changes on our website and social media.
Thank you!!
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