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2008-2009 Flu Prevention
North Star Pediatrics will begin vaccinating children for influenza starting Oct 21st, 2008. We will be administering these vaccines several different ways to ensure that all of our patients have access to vaccination.
We will be giving flu vaccinations at all physicals scheduled after Oct 21st, until our flu supply runs out. Vaccinations will also be given on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment with a nurse during office hours.
North Star Pediatrics has several flu clinics scheduled for your convenience and provided exclusively for North Star patients. Our office staff will be offering two evening clinics (for children only) on Oct. 28th and Nov. 4th, 2008. We also will be hosting a private clinic run by the Visiting Nurses on Saturday Dec. 6th, for both patients and their parents. All clinics are by appointment only. We will be posting a downloadable form for the Visiting Nurse Clinic at a future date so that it can be filled out before you arrive. Remember that the Visiting Nurse Clinic may not be covered by your insurance, and our office will not be filling out referrals this year. Visiting Nurses accept cash or check only. Prices for all clinics and interoffice administration are the same and listed below.
| Flu shot | 3yrs and up | $25.00 |
| Flu shot | 6-35 months | $15.00 |
| Flumist (intranasal, preservative-free, live virus) | 2yrs-49yrs | $35.00 |
| Visiting Nurses Only: Preservative free Flu shot | 3 yrs and up | $40.00 |
| Preservative free Flu shot | 6-35 months | $35.00 |
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Guidelines for administration of flu prevention:
2008 Flu Season Recommendations
Annual vaccinations against influenza are recommended for all persons, including school age children. High risk persons include:
- those 6 months to 59 months, and persons 50 years and older
- pregnant women past the 1st trimester
- those with chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic disorders (including diabetes)
- immunosuppressed persons, either from disease or medication (chemo or steroids)
- healthy care givers of children less than 5 years, and adults 50 years and older
- health-care personnel
This season- If your child is between 6 months and 8 years and received their first flu vaccine last year, and obtained only 1 dose of medication, or if this is their first season of flu vaccination, they should have 2 doses this year 1 month apart.
Flu shots (dead virus) may be given:
- to anyone who is older than 6 months and not allergic to any components
- to pregnant women in their 2nd and 3rd trimester
Flu shots should not be given:
- if your child has a temp > 101F the day of the injection
- if there is an allergy to eggs or thimersol
Flumist (live weakened virus) may be given:
- to healthy individuals age 2 yrs to 49 years with no history of wheezing
Flumist should not be given:
- to individuals with chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic disorders (including diabetes), and those immunosuppressed
- to any pregnant women
- to those less than 2 yrs and older than 49 years
- if your child has a respiratory illness, a cold or a temp of 101F the day of the mist.
- if there is an allergy to eggs, gentamycin or gelatin
- to adolescents on aspirin therapy or steroids and anyone with a history of Guillain-Barre
North Star Pediatrics CAN NOT save or guarantee flu shots or Flumist.
CDC web page: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/default.htm#flu
Visiting Nurses web page: http://www.vnsi.org/ & phone: 317-722-8299.
Call to schedule you influenza vaccination: 585-7827
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