Andorra Pediatrics Newsletter Update
Happy Fall! We hope everyone has a wonderful start to the new school year!

With the fall season comes the return of flu season: we have the flu shot and are offering it to all children 6 months and up. Call our office to schedule your flu shot today!

By now you've probably read or heard about monkeypox in the news. Please see our attached article regarding monkeypox from the AAP and call our office with any questions or concerns that you may have.  

The CDC recently updated it's COVID exposure/quarantine/masking guidelines for those exposed to or found to be COVID positive. Call us with any questions or concerns and follow your local school district's protocol to determine your child's next steps after an exposure or positive test.



*****CoVid-19 Vaccines update****

**We have the Pfizer vaccine for ages 6 months and up in stock and are administering it to our patients.***
A 3 dose primary series was recently approved for the 6 month old to 4 year old age group and we are offering the Pfizer vaccine in office
A 3rd booster was recently approved for the 5-11 age group

3 COVID-19 vaccines are available to many people at this time.  All 3 vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer, J&J) are very effective in preventing hospitalizations and death.  The CDC recommends that everyone should get whichever vaccine becomes available first to them.
Pfizer vaccine is now approved for children down to age 6 months and a 3rd booster has been approved for ages 5 years and up.  The vaccine has been shown to be very safe in children and provide the same excellent level of protection against COVID 19 infections as has been shown in adults. We are recommending your child receive this vaccine.

Side effects: these are minimal.  Some people get symptoms (usually mild) similar to the Flu, but these only last a few days.  The symptoms are a good indicator that your body is responding to the vaccine.  The benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the short-term side effects. 

We are recommending that everyone who is eligible for the vaccine, look for a location to get signed up.   Please feel free to discuss any concerns about this vaccine with our office.

COVID-19 PCR Test

If you have a concern about a Covid-19 exposure to you or your child, please call our office to set up a Video visit.  If we feel you or your child needs a Covid-19 test, we are doing these outside the office by the Suite 9 entrance.  We will give you a time to come for the culture.  Results have been coming back in 24-48 hours (sent out to LabCorp).

Office Safety

It is very safe to come to our office for your child's scheduled Well visit.

1. We have set up Lucite dividers in our front reception area to provide extra protection for you and our employees. 
2. Everyone on our staff has had 2 of the Covid-19 vaccines.  
3. We have installed special air cleaners in our Heating/AC system that effectively filters out bacteria and viruses. 
4. All rooms are cleaned with alcohol before every patient is seen in that room.
5. All staff always wear gloves and masks when interacting with families.
   

Video Visits

If your child is sick with or without fever, please call the office to set up a video visit.  In many cases, we can give you advice on treating your child's problem without you having to come into the office.
If we feel the fever and/or symptoms your child is having may be caused by Covid-19 (known or possible exposure at school, daycare, college, etc.), we will have you bring your child to the office and have a Covud-19 test done outside Suite 9 (rear of building).

Newsletter Articles
Please read these each week as they will be changed regularly and provide information that covers many current Pediatric issues.  Our initial introduction letter will be updated about our office changes monthly.

Visit our Web Site: www.AndorraPediatrics.com  for handouts that discuss many common problems families face.  See our "Rash" section that shows pictures of many of the rashes your child may experience over the years.