flu clinics and information
FLU VACCINE CLINICS 2018-2019
2018 - 2019 Influenza Vaccine Recommendations
Northampton Area Pediatrics recommends that all of our patients, over the age of 6 months, receive the injectable influenza vaccine this season. This is also the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Flumist, the nasal spray form of the influenza vaccine, was taken off the market for the last two years because of data showing it gave inferior protection. This year the flumist is being reintroduced but the data is not yet convincing that it is as good as the injectable vaccine and therefore NAP and the AAP are recommending the injectable vaccine. We will have a limited supply of Flumist for those who feel that this is the only possible formulation their children can receive.
Please call our office at (413) 584-8700 to make an appointment for the flu vaccine. We do not have any more flu clinics for the rest of the season.
Local and School Vaccination Programs
If your child receives a seasonal flu vaccination at school or at a local flu clinic, please tell us about it so that we can update your child's medical record. Please use the NAP Patient Portal to message us so that this information goes directly into your child's chart. If you are not portal enabled, please notify us of the flu vaccine by visiting Contact Us. Please note that pharmacies will typically not adminster flu vaccine to children (age 17 years and under).
NAP is following the recommendation of the Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC and will still not be offering the nasal flu mist this year. Recent studies show that flu mist has not been effective in preventing current strains of influenza while the injectable vaccine has been very effective.
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How do I know if my child has a cold or the flu? |
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|---|---|---|
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Symptom |
Cold |
Flu |
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Coughing |
A hacking, productive cough (mucus- producing) |
A non-productive cough |
|
Stuffy Nose |
Stuffy nose that typically resolves spontaneously within a week. |
Not commonly present |
|
Sneezing |
Sneezing is common |
Not commonly present |
|
Sore Throat |
Sore throat is common |
Not commonly present |
|
Fever |
Not commonly present |
Fever is usually present(temperature of 100°F or higher |
|
Aches |
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. |
Severe aches and pains are common with the flu. |
|
Chills |
Not commonly present |
60% of people who have the flu experience chills. |
|
Tiredness |
Tiredness is fairly mild. |
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu. |
|
Sudden Symptoms |
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. |
The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. |
|
Headache |
Not commonly present |
A headache is very common(present in 80% of flu cases) |
|
Chest Discomfort |
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. |
Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu. |
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8:30am to 12:45pm |
| 8:30am to 12:45pm |
