Vaccine Update!

We now have all the 2023 vaccines in the office — both Pfizer and Moderna 2023 updated COVID vaccines, the high dose influenza vaccine, as well as the new RSV vaccine.  Because we have so many vaccines to give, PLEASE do not call the office for appointments.  Instead, please adhere to the following:
 

• If you already have an appointment in the office, we can just give you the vaccines then, no need to let us know beforehand.
• If you want to get any of the vaccines on a Tuesday (9 am - 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 4:45 pm) or on a Friday (8 am - 2:30 pm), just come in to the office, no need to schedule an appointment.
• If you need to come on a different day, please send us a message through the portal, as the office is busier on the other days.

 
Here is a reminder about these vaccines:
 
COVID vaccines

• The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are interchangeable, so you can get either one
• You should wait at least 3 months after your last COVID vaccine or after you’ve had COVID before getting the new shot
• The vaccines were previously all paid for by the government, but now insurance companies are supposed to cover them
• We have a limited supply, so we cannot give the vaccines to people who are not patients at our office

 
Influenza vaccines

• Best time to get them is still around middle of October through November
• We have the usual 4-strain flu vaccine that anyone can receive.  The Flublok that we previously gave to patients ages 50 and above will probably not be available this year, so if you are 50-64, you should get the regular 4-strain flu vaccine
• This year, for patients 65 and over, we are recommending the high-dose flu vaccine

 
RSV vaccine

• We recommend this vaccine to patients ages 60 and over who have lung disease, coronary artery disease, significant kidney disease, diabetes, or are taking any medicines that suppress their immune system
• For patients ages 60 and over who do not have these conditions, we’re currently recommending holding off for a year or two
• For patients under age 60 who want the vaccine, please note that it may not be covered by insurance and costs around $320