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 infants and children between six months and 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 will begin offering flu vaccine each Fall, based on availability, to our children in that age group.

For this age group, vaccination for children who have never 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. For those who have received the vaccine in the past, this, and each subsequent, year will require only a single dose.

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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