September 2025
September 2025
September 16, 2025
Dear Amazing Centennial Valley Pediatrics Patients and Caregivers,
We hope this email finds you all healthy and well!
The last few months have brought a lot of confusion regarding children's vaccines. As fall approaches, and the fall/winter respiratory illness season is just around the corner, we wanted to address these concerns, and let you know where we, as your pediatricians, stand.
The time for sniffles, sneezes, coughs and fevers is just around the corner. While these symptoms may seem to be just an annoyance, they are sometimes much more--RSV, influenza, and Covid-19 send tens of thousands of children to the hospital each season, and some children even die.
You can protect your children from the most serious complications of these viruses by getting them vaccinated.
Influenza Vaccine
(currently available in our office, able to be scheduled):
Who:
Everyone 6 months of age and older
When:
Ideally October, but anytime that works for you!
Notes:
If your child has had 0 or 1 prior dose of influenza vaccine, and they are 8 yrs old or younger, they will need 2 doses, separated by 1 month. Because of this, it is best to get them their 1st dose ASAP.
Anyone who has received 2 doses in their past, or is older than 8 yrs old will only need 1 dose.
We can also give parents their influenza vaccine, for a $50 charge, which may be reimbursed by your insurance company (but please check first!).
Another option for flu vaccination:
Returning this year, is Flumist--a nasal vaccine that can be administered at home. This is available for people 2-49 yrs old, who meet certain medical criteria. You can go to their website and see if this is a good fit for your child.
https://www.flumist.com/
Call to schedule your child's and your flu vaccine today!
________________________________________________________________________
RSV immunization
(available in October, able to be scheduled)
Who:
all newborns/infants up to 7 months old, whose mothers did not receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy, or their vaccine was given <2 wks before delivery
infants 8-19 months old who have underlying medical conditions, such as:
chronic lung disease of prematurity that has required medical support at any time in the 6 months prior to October (oxygen, diuretics, steroids, etc)
severe immunocompromise
certain patients with cystic fibrosis
American Indian or Alaska native children
undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass
When:
October
Please call us to schedule this vaccine for your infant, as we will be ordering doses based on demand.
______________________________________________________________________
***Covid-19 Vaccine
(not in our office yet, but we think coming in the next few weeks, can't schedule yet)
This vaccine has had a lot of confusion surrounding it. We will try to clear some things up.
Per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Colorado Department of Public Health (CDPHE):
Some children should be vaccinated, based on their age or medical problems. Other children, who don't meet these criteria, CAN STILL BE VACCINATED if their parent desires.
Infants and children 6 months- 23 months of age:
Because children in this age group have the highest rates of hospitalization due to Covid-19 illness (similar rates to adults over 65 yrs), they should be vaccinated.
If they have never received a Covid vaccine:
they should receive 2 doses of vaccine, separated by at least 30 days
If they have previously completed an initial series (2 doses of Moderna, or 3 doses of Pfizer):
they should receive 1 dose of this season's vaccine
If they have an incomplete primary series, contact us for their recommendations
Children/Young Adults 2 yrs and older:
If they are in one or more of the following categories, it is very important that they get a yearly covid vaccine, and should get 1 dose:
those at high risk of severe COVID-19 due to medical illnesses/conditions* (see below)
residents of long-term care facilities or other congregate settings
those who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19
children whose household contacts are at high risk for severe COVID-19
*Conditions that put someone at higher risk for severe Covid-19 illness:
Chronic pulmonary disease: Asthma/reactive airway disease, Chronic lung disease of prematurity, Compromised respiratory function (eg, abnormality of airway, tracheostomy, or ventilator dependent);
Cardiovascular disease: Congenital heart disease
Gastrointestinal disorders: Feeding tube dependent, Inflammatory bowel disease
Hepatic disease: Chronic liver disease
Hematologic disease: Sickle cell disease
Metabolic disorders: Diabetes mellitus
Obesity: BMI ≥ the 95th percentile in children
Neurologic and developmental conditions: Cerebral palsy, Epilepsy, Intellectual developmental disorder, Compromised mobility (eg, wheelchair dependent)
Immunosuppressive conditions: Receipt of immunosuppressive therapy, Primary immunodeficiency, HIV infection, Receipt of hematopoietic cell transplant or solid organ transplant
Rheumatologic, autoimmune disease: Systemic lupus erythematosus, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Children/Young adults age 2-21 who are not included in the risk groups above, but whose parent or guardian desires their protection from COVID-19, may receive a single dose of vaccine
***We are aware that the CDC has issued different guidelines, but these are not in agreement with the American Academy of Pediatrics. We will be following the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines--this is our most trusted source of medical data and guidance at this time.***
The final confusing piece of this--we don't know if insurance will cover the Covid vaccine--stay tuned for updates. For now, we recommend you call your insurance provider and see if it will be covered.
We are not yet scheduling this vaccine, as we don't have it in stock yet. We will let you know when you call to schedule it/add it on to the flu shot your child may already be scheduled for.
_______________________________________________________________
Summary by age group:
Newborn-5 months old--RSV
6-7 months old--Influenza, Covid-19, RSV
8 months-23 months--Influenza, Covid-19, (RSV if in high risk groups)
2 yrs and older--Influenza, (Covid-19--should get if in high risk group, can get if desired otherwise)
We love and appreciate our patients and families! Stay safe and healthy!
Love, Centennial Valley Pediatrics Providers and Staff