RSV Activity Increasing in the CMG Community
RSV Shots for Newborns/Infants Under 8 Months
Pfizer and Moderna Covid Vaccines Available at CMG
Flu/Covid Vaccine Clinics at CMG Ongoing, Saturdays in Underground Parking Lot P1
Parking Issues at 8401 Connecticut
RSV Activity Increasing in the CMG Community
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) has increased in the CMG community over the last 3 weeks. CMG recorded 51 positive RSV tests this week, up from 26 last week and 10 the week prior. We expect RSV numbers will continue to climb in the coming weeks. Covid and Flu cases remain low by comparison.
Given the spread of RSV in the area, we recommend RSV injections for those eligible in the next few weeks. This means newborns/infants under age 8 months (see below) and adults age 60 and up. Children age 8 months and up and adults under age 60 are not eligible for RSV vaccine. The adult RSV vaccine for age 60+ is available at pharmacies only.
RSV Shots for Newborns/Infants Under 8 Months
CMG currently has limited quantities of the RSV antibody injection Beyfortus for children under 8 months of age. We expect to receive a larger shipment mid-week, and hope to offer injections to as many of our eligible patients as possible over the next 3 weeks. Once the new shipment arrives, we will add appointment slots accordingly. Please call the office starting Thursday of this week to make an injection appointment for the coming weeks. We do not have an online scheduling modality for RSV shots.
Babies 8 months and older are not eligible for the vaccine, unless they have congenital heart disease or severe chronic lung disease. Asthma does not qualify a baby 8 months or older for the injection.
This is an expensive injection – over $500 per dose. Insurance companies have indicated they will cover the cost, but as with any new injection there may be insurance denials initially. If this happens, the cost of the medication and its administration will become the responsibility of the patient.
Babies who are in the office for a well visit can receive the shot at that time. The RSV shots can be given along with other regularly scheduled vaccines. RSV shots will not be available at our Saturday drive-up vaccine clinics, as the babies must be weighed to determine the proper dose of injection.
Pfizer and Moderna Covid Vaccines Available at CMG
CMG now has a good supply of the both the Pfizer and Moderna updated Covid vaccines. Either vaccine is fine for any patient, with one exception: for children under age 5 who have previously received at least one dose of vaccine, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sticking with the same vaccine brand initially administered if possible.
The new Covid vaccine is available along with flu vaccine at our Saturday drive-through clinics and in the office during the week. Appointments can be made for the Saturday drive-through clinics here. These appointment slots can be used for flu vaccine, Covid vaccine, or both. Covid and flu vaccines can be given together or separately – either way is fine. Please fill out one copy of this form for each patient receiving Covid vaccine.
CMG recommends the updated Covid vaccine for everyone age 6 months and up. For those who have recently had Covid, we recommend waiting 3-4 months before getting the new vaccine.
Flu/Covid Vaccine Clinics at CMG Ongoing, Saturdays in Underground Parking Lot P1
Saturday vaccine clinics will be ongoing through November 11th in the P1 underground parking level of our building. Patients may receive flu vaccine, Covid vaccine, or both. For those receiving Covid vaccine, please fill out one copy of this form for each patient. To book an appointment, please follow this link and input the name of the patient as listed in our medical record system – not a nickname.
Most appointments for our Saturday clinics have been booked. As of this writing there are still slots available on November 11th. We will be adding additional weekday slots in November when we can. Flu and Covid vaccines are also available at pharmacies.
For the Saturday drive-up clinics: the entrance to the P1 level is roughly 100 yards down Chevy Chase Lake Drive off Connecticut Ave. Signs will be posted. Families will be directed where to park, have their appointments confirmed, fill out a simple form, receive their vaccines at the car, and drive away. Flu and Covid vaccines are recommended for all patients age 6 months and up.
Patients and parents/caregivers coming to the office for a scheduled appointment with a provider, such as a well visit or a non-acute sick visit, will be able to receive flu and Covid vaccines at that time if they wish. The exception is during our early morning “Before Hours” walk-in hour for sick children – we do not have enough nursing staff during Before Hours to administer vaccines.
Parking Issues at 8401 Connecticut
Renovation work is ongoing in the parking lots at our building. There is still space to park, and there are parking attendants on site, but there is more traffic congestion than usual. Please leave extra time for finding a spot and making your way into the building while the renovation is ongoing. We ask patients to arrive in our office 15 minutes prior to the appointment time; this means arriving at the building 20-25 minutes before your appointment. We apologize for the frustration and inconvenience this work is causing. The renovation project is scheduled to conclude by the end of the year.