The American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Communicable Diseases Center (CDC) have made the decision to strongly recommend routine influenza (flu) vaccination for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults between six months and twenty-five years of age. This is based on medical evidence that this age group has an increased rate of complications, similar to that in the elderly population. Based on these recommendations, Putnam Valley Pediatrics is offering flu vaccine each Fall, based on availability, to our patients in those age groups.

For children between six months and nine years of age, the vaccination process for children who have never before received influenza vaccine consists of two injections given at least four weeks apart. The splitting of the vaccination into two doses has traditionally been done to minimize the incidence and severity of local reactions and fever and to produce the most effective level of immunity. For those who have received the vaccine in the past, this, and each subsequent, year will require only a single dose.

For children and adolescents over the age of nine years, the vaccination process is a single dose each year, since studies show that this age group produces effective immunity with a single initial dose.

FOR 2009: H1N1 "Swine Flu" vaccine is a separate set of influenza vaccinations, due to the fact that the virus did not develop in the U.S. early enough to be included in the regular seasonal vaccine.  Putnam Valley Pediatrics recommends that all children get BOTH the seasonal and "swine flu" vaccines this year. It is anticipated that in future years, H1N1 will be included in the annual single seasonal vaccine.  The same dosing rules apply...2 doses at least 1 month apart for those children between six months and nine years of age...and a single dose for children, adolescents, and young adults over nine years of age.

It is not clear at this point which insurers will be covering the cost of routine flu vaccine for children. If you choose to have your child vaccinated for influenza, we would be happy to submit the charge to your health insurer, but in the event they deny the charge, we will have to pass the cost back to you. If this is a concern, we suggest that you contact Member Services of your health insurer and inquire about your coverage.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us.

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