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At this time, we are able to offer both first and second doses of H1N1 vaccine to all patients (second doses are recommended for patients 10 years and younger, doses spaced greater than 4 weeks apart). We also continue to offer seasonal flu vaccine to all age groups. We currently have the injectable form of seasonal flu vaccine only. PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE TO SCHEDULE A SAME-DAY APPOINTMENT FOR THE VACCINE. CALL DURING CALL HOUR (7–8 A.M.) OR AFTER 9 A.M. AND PRESS 0 TO SPEAK WITH THE RECEPTIONIST. You may also ask your doctor for the H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccine during your child's routine exam. Please let us know if your child has received vaccines at another location so we can document it in their chart. Some vaccines such as MMR and varicella need a waiting period between receiving them and other live vaccines. Thank you very much for your patience and understanding during this flu season. For more information about seasonal flu and H1N1, and the vaccines, please see the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://www.cdc.gov/ If you have questions about how to care for a child with H1N1, please click on the link below:
This year we will offer Flu Mist vaccine as an alternative to standard flu shots. Flu Mist was first approved for use in 2003. Being slow and cautious about adopting new medications, we followed the track record of the vaccine for the past 5 years. We are now satisfied that Flu Mist is as safe and is equally effective as the Flu shot. The Flu Mist vaccine is a small amount of liquid sprayed up each nostril. It does not sting. Most healthy people, between ages 2 and 49, are candidates to receive Flu Mist vaccine. The Flu Mist is not given to asthmatics or patients who are immunocompromised or on immunosuppressive drugs like steroids. We are still giving standard preservative-free flu shots. Anyone 6 months of age or older may receive the standard vaccine. Children 6 months up to 9 years of age getting a flu vaccine for the first time will need two doses of vaccine the first year they are vaccinated, with the first dose ideally being given in September or as soon as vaccine becomes available. The second dose should be given 28 or more days after the first dose. The first dose "primes" the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection. For more information from Center for Disease Control, go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/children.htm We are beginning to administer flu vaccine now. Please contact our nurse’s line to schedule an appointment. Ask your doctor about the flu vaccine when you come in for your next routine exam.
Milton Pediatrics congratulates Dr. Scott Paul who recently married his childhood sweetheart, Dr. Suzanne McIntyre. All our best wishes to the newlyweds. Milton Pediatrics congratulates Dr. Jin and her husband on the birth of their daughter, Eleanor "Nora", on September 11, 2009.
Baby Nora joins sister Libby and brother Charlie.
We wish them all the best.
Dr. Michael Shannon of Children's Hospital talks about chemicals in plastic baby bottles. Click here to read the interview with Dr. Michael Shannon.
In March of 2005 Milton Pediatrics began screening all 14+ year old patients, regardless of gender, for Chlamydia at their yearly well visits*. Chlamydia, a treatable sexually transmitted disease, is the most commonly reported infectious disease in the US , with approximately three to four million new cases each year. Untreated Chlamydia infection increases a woman's risk for pelvic infections, infertility, tubal pregnancy, and HIV infection. In males Chlamydia can cause serious infections. Chlamydia infection is usually asymptomatic (most infected patients will have no symptoms). Chlamydia screening is covered by most insurance plans. However, Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO, GIC Indemnity and some private plans do not cover this testing. As with other services that are not covered by your health insurance, You may receive a bill from an outside lab for which you would be responsible. Annual Chlamydia screening of teenaged patients is recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. At MIlton Pediatrics, our goal is to provide our adolescent patients with appropriate, and confidential, screening for Chlamydia. We will report any abnormal screening results directly to our patient, and will prescribe appropriate antibiotic therapy for him or her. We cannot disclose the results of the screening test to a parent or guardian without the permission of our patient. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. * "Screening on the basis of age (less than 25 years) appears to be effective even in areas where the prevalence of chlamydial infection is low to moderate (3 to 6 percent)." NEJM, Volume 349, Number 25, 2427-28. "...in Massachusetts , there is a serious and increasing problem
with chlamydia infections among 15-19 year olds. In the year 2002,
the rate among the 15 to 19?year-old age group was 879/100,000,
almost five times the rate for all ages." Prevention and Management
of Chlamydial Infections in Adolescents: A Toolkit for Clinicians,
January 2004, 6-2.
In keeping up with new technologies, Milton Pediatrics has implemented the use of electronic medical records. As with many new software applications, sometimes things run slower than normal. Your patience would be greatly appreciated at this time as the doctors, nurses and staff, update your child’s medical information into this new system. Enhancing the quality of patient care, being able to access patient charts from any location and improving patient safety through electronic prescribing are just some of the benefits of electronic medical records. Again, we ask for your patience and understanding as we, Milton
Pediatrics, begin our journey into electronic medical records. |
