The holiday season is upon us once more. We hoped we would be in a different place by now. Although we are not, there is still much to celebrate. Time with friends and family is valued and appreciated. There is joy and light in the world. We see it most clearly in our children’s eyes. Our holiday wish, remember to be kind, compassionate and generous of heart, now and for the years to come.
HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
Here are some recommendations to make it a safe holiday season by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC.
Celebrate with fully vaccinated family and friends.
Urge guests to stay home if they have symptoms of COVID-19.
The safest way to prevent the spread of the highly contagious delta variant is for families with vaccinated and unvaccinated members to wear masks at all indoor gatherings with others.
Keep the gathering small and short.
Open windows and celebrate outside when possible.
Consider an outdoor treat exchange.
Keep it clean by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer.
For more helpful information including advice on traveling, please see the link below:
Ask the Pediatrician: Are the holidays gatherings safe during the COVID-19 pandemic?
CDC: Safer Ways to the Celebrate Holidays
COVID TESTING IN THE OFFICE
We have been very careful in keeping patients with COVID outside of our office. This has resulted in our patients getting a PCR COVID test at Yale or other facilities prior to their visit. This caused them to be seen the following day once we had a confirmed negative result.
We are excited to offer the CEPHEID PCR COVID testing in the office for our ill patients. We will be able to see your children the same day.
We have a limited supply of the test. We will not be able to test for travel, work requirements or for exposure. In these cases, you will have to use Yale or another site offering PCR testing. We can only test patients who are ill and would like to be seen in the office for a visit.
COVID VACCINE FOR 5 TO 11 YEARS IS FINALLY HERE.
We are absolutely excited to announce that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for 5-to-11 year old children and available for administration. Please vaccinate your children. If you have any questions or concerns, call us. We will be happy to talk to you.
The Pfizer vaccine will be a modified dose compared to the adult dose. It is a 10microgram dose, which is one third the adult dose. It will still be 2 doses separated by 3 weeks. The needle used for administration is smaller than the one used for ages 12 years and older. It also will have an orange cap, as opposed to the purple cap on the adult dose. This will prevent any confusion at the time of vaccine administration.
CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Planning for Children
There are several places where you would be able to get the vaccine for your child immediately. Yale will have several sites available. There will be child specialists at each site to make the experience as pleasant as possible. In our area the closest sites are: 4a Devine Street, North Haven and 200 Orchard Street, New Haven.
Use the following link to schedule your child’s vaccine administration:
YNHH SCHEDULE THE COVID VACCINE FOR KIDS
Cornell Scott Hill Health center is also another vaccine administration site. See the attached flyer.
CORNELL SCOTT HILL HEALTH CENTER-COVID 19 VACCINE FOR KIDS
We hope to become a vaccine administration site. This unfortunately may not happen until after the holidays. Please don’t wait for us. We can move closer to having a normal-ish holiday with family, if your children are vaccinated.
FLU VACCINE
We have been offering the flu vaccine to every child 6 months and older at their physical exam appointment. If you would like to have your child receive the flu vaccine outside of this visit, please call as soon as possible. We will allow multiple children per family to be booked together for flu shot visits. We have certain protocols in place to make the visit a quick and easy one. Our goal is to get as many children as possible vaccinated before the start of the flu season which is now round the corner.
A LONG GOOD-BYE
It is with great JOY and SADNESS, that we announce that Dr. Patrick Alvino will be retiring in the Spring of 2022. He has, over the years, developed wonderful relationships with families. It will be difficult to break them. In anticipation of his retirement, we are requesting that families who routinely see Dr. Alvino make their next physical exam appointment with a new provider. Dr. Alvino will help those families who see him for their mental health concerns to find providers who are appropriate for their child’s needs.