Flu Clinic 2020-2021 Season

November Flu Clinic Schedule

December Flu Clinic Schedule

Email fluclinic@potomacpediatrics.com to schedule an appointment for your family. We will try to respond to all request same-day. However, there are intermittently influxes of high volume request, so we ask that you please allow our team 24 hours to respond to your email. Sending multiple request within that timeframe will only cause further delays in our ability to get your family scheduled.

We highly recommend that all patients and household members get vaccinated. Due to COVID-19 we are changing the structure of our flu clinics to ensure we can meet the needs of our patients while managing proper social distancing. This year all patients and family members are required to have an appointment to receive the flu vaccine. Due to the level of resources, time, and effort to provide a socially distanced environment appointments that are cancelled with less than 48 hours notice or no shows will be assessed a $15 missed appointment fee per scheduled patient. To be fair to all families requesting appointments, Flu Clinic appointments during prime hours* that are cancelled or rescheduled will not be eligible to reschedule for another prime appointment slot. *Prime Hours: 3:00pm and later, Wednesday’s, Saturdays, and MCPS closure days

Injectable Flu: We have received our first shipment of flu vaccines.

FluMist : We are only carrying a limited number of FluMist doses this year.

Flu Season Headline

Flu shots will be offered to all patients during scheduled appointments (check-ups, med checks, sick visits, etc). Only the accompanying parent will have an opportunity to get vaccinated at this appointment. When scheduling and checking in please notify your greeter that you would like to get a flu shot as this will help speed up the vaccination process for your family. Additional parents, caretakers, guardians, and siblings must schedule an appointment to get vaccinated through our Flu Clinic. No exceptions will be made to this policy.

This year, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the inactivated Influenza vaccine (flu shot) as the first choice for all children. Here at Potomac Pediatrics we follow AAP guidelines and want to ensure the best protection for your child(ren) so it is our recommendation that all patients receive the flu shot. However, we will have limited doses of FluMist available if you prefer this vaccine.

Patients: No copays are due when receiving the flu vaccine. We will bill your child’s flu shot to their active insurance company. If your child does not have active insurance, payment will be due at the time of service. If there is any patient responsibility due after your claim has processed, your credit card on file will be charged according to our financial policy.

Non-patients:

  • If you have insurance eligible benefits (PPO plans only) we will submit a claim on your behalf to your insurance company.
    • The PPO identifier MUST be on your insurance card. Click here for an example.
    • Patient responsibility (if any) will be charged to the credit card on file after your claim is processed. No statement will be generated and a credit card must be put on file to cover any potential patient responsibility.
    • Non-patients that do not present their insurance card will be considered self-pay at the rate of $50.00
  • Non-patients with non-PPO plans (ex: HMO, POS, Open Access, etc.) will be considered self-pay at the rate of $50.00.
    • Please note these policies will not reimburse Potomac Pediatrics so no exceptions will be made.

What if my child has asthma?
We prefer that Asthmatic children who do not have a current Asthma Action Plan or are in need of prescription refills are seen in our office or by their Asthma/Allergy specialist prior to receiving the vaccine. However, you may still bring your child into the flu clinic for their flu shot. This is a walk-in clinic and your child won’t be seen by a provider or receive medication refills at this time. If you’d like a one-stop visit contact our office to schedule an appointment with a provider for an asthma action plan and flu shot.

When should we get vaccinated?
Did you know that it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protects against Influenza virus infection? It’s best to be vaccinated before Influenza begins spreading throughout the community. Infants (6-35 months of age) who are receiving their first flu vaccine, as well as children who are 8 years old and younger and have never received an Influenza vaccine, will need to receive two doses of Flu. These two doses will need to be administered at least one month apart. If your child falls into one of these categories that means it may take 4-weeks before they are fully vaccinated. So why wait? Waiting does not give you increased immunity or increase the likelihood that you will be protected if there is a delayed flu outbreak.

One of the most common excuses we hear is that getting the flu shot gives can give you the flu. This is a myth. You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine. What you are experiencing is common side effects that will quickly pass in 1-2 days.

These side effects can include:

  • Soreness, redness, or swelling at the site of injection
  • Low-grade fever
  • Aches

What about people that get vaccinated and still get the Flu?

  • Exposure to the flu vaccine may have occurred prior to vaccination or during the two-week inoculation period.
  • Viruses that have similar symptoms to flu are circulating throughout the community and are often mistaken for the flu.
  • Flu vaccines do not cover every strain of Influenza. The vaccines cover four strains of Influenza (Two Type-A Strains, and Two Type B Strains). Researchers and scientists include the strains that they predict will most likely occur within the community. It is still a virus and new strains can emerge prior to the start of or during Flu season that is not included in the vaccine.

Seasonal updated information on Influenza virus, vaccines, and treatment can be found on the CDC website.