Please be sure to click on the Flu Information link in the left banner for the latest information on both the regular seasonal influenza (flu) and the H1N1 strain of influenza (swine flu).

All Star Pediatrics is now scheduling our influenza vaccinations for the 2009-2010 season. This does not represent the Swine Flu vaccine as our office decided not to be an administration site for the vaccine. For more details on our decision, please see the Flu Information section to the left.

Similar to last year, there are two different types of influenza vaccines available for our patients. Included below are the links to the information regarding the two types of influenza vaccines. The first is the regular injectable vaccine - the "flu shot" (inactivated vaccine). The second form of the influenza vaccine is an intranasal spray, FluMist (live vaccine). The intranasal vaccine (FluMist) is licensed only for healthy children who are 3 years and older and who have no chronic health conditions (reactive airways disease, asthma, lung disease, heart disease, etc.). Please check with your insurance carrier if you are interested in the Flumist product - not all insurances cover this type of vaccination.

Children 3 yrs and up will receive the "adult" formula of the vaccine. This adult version of the flu vaccine contains a preservative, thimerosol, which our providers feel is perfectly safe. There is a small supply of a thimerosol-free "adult" vaccine available this year.

Children 6 months-3 yrs will receive "Baby flu", which is preservative free. For questions regarding the preservative, please see:

http://www.cispimmunize.org/fam/autism/thimerosal.htm

Please note: Children under 9 years of age receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time, will need two doses. The two doses are separated by 4-6 weeks. If your child had his/her very first flu shot in 2008/2009, but only received one injection (and they are <9 yrs of age) then he/she will need to receive 2 injections this year.

Influenza vaccine information sheet (inactivated, injectable):

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flu.pdf

Influenza vaccine information sheet (live, FluMist):

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flulive.pdf

Please call our office at 610-363-1330 to schedule your child's flu shot.

Many of the patients from All Star Pediatrics have received 1 and/or 2 doses of the H1N1 vaccine this fall and winter. Please call our office with the dates of your child's vaccination so this may be entered as part of their medical record. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Please check your calendars!! All Star Pediatrics will soon be scheduling our school, camp, sports physicals for the early part of the summer 2010. These appointments are very popular for many families - please remember to schedule early!!

We encourage all of our families to call our office with updates for any personal information, new contact information, email addresses, work/cell phone numbers and insurance changes. We strive to have the most up-to-date information for all of our patient families in the event of a question or in case we need to contact you. Thank you for your assistance.

Are you interested in breast feeding your baby? Not sure?

We welcome you to come to our monthly breast feeding classes (same information is repeated) provided by Mrs. Jill Schwartz, RN, CRNP, Certified Lactation Consultant.

Learn in an informal setting. Practical information is reviewed. Your questions are not only welcome but also helpful.

Don't miss out on how to feed your baby the very best!

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
Time: 5:30-6:30 PM

If interested, please call (610) 363-1330 to register.

All classes are held here at All Star Pediatrics.