Flu, COVID and RSV Vaccines at Magnolia
Dear Magnolia Families,
Fall is around the corner! It’s time to start thinking about the immunizations needed to protect your families during the winter against viruses like Influenza, COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Although these viruses usually cause cold-like symptoms, they can cause hospitalizations and medical complications (like pneumonia, ear infections and sinus infections) and sometimes even death. They can be especially dangerous for the very young, the very old or those with a chronic medical condition.
The Flu vaccine is recommended for anyone 6 months and older. We are happy to offer the flu vaccine to our patients as well as to their parents. We will be sending out a MyChart message soon with the weekend/weekday flu clinic dates and instructions on how to self-schedule. We have a limited number of the live attenuated nasal flu vaccine. Here are the links to the Vaccine Information Sheet for the Inactivated Flu Vaccine and the Live Attenuated Flu Vaccine and the consent forms for the Inactivated Flu Vaccine and the Live Attenuated Flu Vaccine.
The RSV immunization is recommended for any infant younger than 8 months of age who has not had a previous RSV immunization and for children aged 8 months through 19 months who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease due to certain medical conditions including chronic lung disease of prematurity requiring treatment, immunosuppression or are of Native American descent. Infants born to mothers who had the maternal RSV vaccine during pregnancy do not need the RSV immunization. A study that looked at last year’s RSV season found that the immunization was 90% effective in preventing RSV related hospitalizations in infants.
The immunization will be given during the RSV season which is October through the end of March. We will send you more information on how to schedule your child for this immunization shortly.
The COVID-19 Vaccine is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for all children 6 months to 23 months of age, children older than 23 months of age that have a high risk medical condition, and any child whose parent wishes to protect their child or a household member. With the recent passage of California AB 144, health plans in California will be required to provide coverage for vaccines as recommended by the AAP. We would recommend, however, that you contact your insurance provider before receiving the vaccine to ensure coverage. We will be providing the COVID-19 vaccine at our clinic.
We are committed to science and fact-based information on the safety and efficacy of vaccines and believe that there should be access and choice to receive vaccines. We look forward to keeping our patients, families and community safe during this upcoming respiratory virus season.
Magnolia Doctors and Staff
