RSV Shots for Newborns/Infants Under 8 Months
Pfizer Covid Vaccine Available at CMG; Moderna Available in Limited Quantities
Flu/Covid Vaccine Clinics at CMG Ongoing, Saturdays in Underground Parking Lot P1
RSV Shots for Newborns/Infants Under 8 Months
The RSV antibody injection for infants (Beyfortus) has arrived at CMG, but in limited quantities for the time being. We have a good supply of the dose for babies 11 lbs and over, but have run out of the dose for babies under 11 lbs. We expect more doses for the smaller babies to arrive this week or next. There is unfortunately still no online scheduling modality for RSV shots – please call the office to make an appointment.
Beyfortus is a single dose injection approved for babies under 8 months to provide protection against Respiratory Syncytial Virus, one of the leading causes of hospitalization in young children. We recommend the injection for all babies under 8 months.
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. 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 Covid Vaccine Available at CMG; Moderna Available in Limited Quantities
CMG has a good supply of the updated Pfizer Covid vaccine, and a very limited supply of Moderna. We expect to receive a much larger shipment of Moderna this week or next. 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 that vaccine brand is available. The CDC’s recommendation does state that if the original vaccine brand is unavailable for this age group, the other brand is acceptable. If your young child started with Moderna and you would rather not wait for Moderna to become readily available for the next dose, it is okay to go ahead with a Pfizer dose at this time. We do expect to have a more plentiful supply of Moderna in the coming weeks.
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 appointments 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 4th 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 4th. We may be adding a vaccine clinic on November 11, and will also be adding weekday slots in mid October and on. If there are no slots available when you check, please check back during the week, as we will be adding more. Please note that each person to be vaccinated must have their own appointment; we will not be able to vaccinate those who arrive without an appointment.
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.