Flu Shot Clinics

Now More Convenient than Ever!

Flu Clinic Scheduling has started for 2007 call now for an appointment

Again this year, RBK-Pediatrics will offer our popular flu shot clinics for established patients. We have added some additional times during the week to give you several convenient options for scheduling your child's appointment. Remember, our flu shot clinics are for established patients only, and we can only serve children and we cannot provide flu shots to parents.

Hours will be 9:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. 

We can accommodate a large number of patients during this Sunday Clinic.

If your insurance paid for your flu shot last year, we will file a claim for you.  However, if your plan did not pay or you have a new insurance carrier this year, we will ask you to pay at the time of service.

Children who have never had a flu shot will require two doses at least 30 days apart. There is a charge for each dose.  We strongly recommend that parents of these children schedule the first and second doses early in order to reserve the most convenient appointment times.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flu Shots

Is anything new about influenza in 2007?

Recently, the CDC recommended all children between 6 months and 5 years of age to receive the influenza vaccine. This change in recommendations was made because infants and young children are the group most likely to be hospitalized with severe influenza infections. Although elderly adults are the group most likely to die from influenza infections (about 40,000 deaths are caused by influenza virus every year in the United States), infants and young children are the group most likely to be hospitalized by influenza infections (about 200,000 hospitalizations are caused by influenza virus every year in the United States)

What is the "flu", anyway?

"Flu" (short for influenza) is primarily a respiratory disease. Most common symptoms are fever, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, and a nonproductive cough. Although many people associate vomiting and diarrhea with "the flu,"
viral gastroenteritis is different from influenza.

Who should get a flu shot?

Anyone who is at high risk of severe or fatal pneumonia caused by influenza virus should receive the vaccine. Groups at highest risk include:

Children 6 months to 5 years of age
Children with underlying conditions such as:

Asthma or other lung disorders
Diabetes
Liver disease
Sickle cell disease or other blood disorders
Immunosuppressive conditions (including HIV)

Children who live in the same house with a child under 6 months of age
Any other person older than 5 years of age wishing to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza

When should my child get a flu shot?

The best time is in the early fall (October-November)

When is it too late to get a flu shot?

Flu season peaks anywhere from December to March, so children can still be immunized into December, January and later, if supply is still available

Will my child get influenza from the flu shot?

The injected vaccine cannot give your child influenza. The influenza vaccine is made from killed or "dead" viruses. This means your child cannot get influenza from receiving a flu shot.

Can my child receive a flu shot?

If she is sick?

Yes, if her temperature does not exceed 100 degrees

If he is on antibiotics?

Yes, he can get the flu shot while on antibiotics, as long as his temperature does not exceed 100 degrees.

Who should not get a flu shot?

Children who are allergic to eggs should not receive a flu shot.

Who can take the nasal vaccine (FluMist)?

FluMist is recommended for healthy people between 5-49 years ofage.

Children who have egg allergies, asthma, diabetes, or heart disease should not receive the nasal vaccine.

A healthy sibling of a child with asthma, diabetes, or heart disease should not receive FluMist.

Children who have nasal congestion can't receive FluMist until their congestion has been cleared up forat least three days.

Does the flu shot contain mercury (thimerosol)?

There are trace amounts of the preservative thimerosol in the flu vaccine. However, concerns about mercury have been related to cumulative amounts from immunizations given prior to age 4 years. Thimerosol was removed from other routine childhood immunizations several years ago. The trace amount in the flu shot should not be of concern.

Why does my child have to get two separate shots?

Children under age 9 years who have never had a flu shot get two doses at least 30 days apart. This is to allow their immune systems more time to produce antibodies to influenza. Spacing the doses makes the body more efficient in doing that.  In subsequent years, your child will only require one dose. 

My child never got the 2nd dose last year. Now what?

If your child did not complete the two dose series in a previous year, he or she still will only require one dose this year.

Disclaimer: The information and advice provided is intended to be general information, NOT as advice on how to deal with a particular child's situation and or problem. If your child has a specific problem you need to ask your pediatrician about it - only after a careful history and physical exam can a medical diagnosis and/or treatment plan be made. This Web site does not constitute a physician-patient relationship.