PCV 13 Vaccine Update:
Blue Fish Pediatrics will be offering the new PCV 13 vaccine at our clinic. For more details, please read the following:
On February 24, 2010, a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) including pneumonia and meningitis and for prevention of ear infections. PCV13 is approved for use among children aged 6 weeks–71 months and succeeds PCV7 (which was licensed by the FDA in 2000).
The PCV13 will be used to complete the routine PCV7 vaccine series and should be paid for by your insurance company per the current PCV7 pay schedule.
For children who have not completed their one year check-up:
No additional appointments or changes need to be made outside of the routine check-up schedule.
For children who have previously completed the pneumococcal vaccine series with the older version (PCV7) and are under 6 years of age: **
We highly recommend a single booster vaccine of PCV13 as 6 additional strains of pneumococcus are covered with the new vaccine. This is in addition to the four PCV7 vaccines your child has already received per the CDC vaccine schedule. We will bill your insurance company on your behalf . However should the vaccine not be covered, it will become the patient’s responsibility. The cost of the vaccine is $140 including the administration costs.
** If your child has completed their recommended well visit schedule including their one year visit, they have more than likely completed the pneumococcal vaccine series.
Appointment policy:
Patients coming in for the 15 and 18 months checkup: No additional appointment is necessary. We will administer the new vaccine at your 15 and 18 months appointment.
Patients who have already had their 18 months check-up: Please call to schedule a shot only appointment.
(If your child already has a check-up visit scheduled in the upcoming 3 months, it is not necessary to schedule a separate appointment for they will be caught up at the check-up.)
On February 24, 2010, a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) including pneumonia and meningitis and for prevention of ear infections. PCV13 is approved for use among children aged 6 weeks–71 months and succeeds PCV7 (which was licensed by the FDA in 2000).
The PCV13 will be used to complete the routine PCV7 vaccine series and should be paid for by your insurance company per the current PCV7 pay schedule.
For children who have not completed their one year check-up:
No additional appointments or changes need to be made outside of the routine check-up schedule.
For children who have previously completed the pneumococcal vaccine series with the older version (PCV7) and are under 6 years of age: **
We highly recommend a single booster vaccine of PCV13 as 6 additional strains of pneumococcus are covered with the new vaccine. This is in addition to the four PCV7 vaccines your child has already received per the CDC vaccine schedule. We will bill your insurance company on your behalf . However should the vaccine not be covered, it will become the patient’s responsibility. The cost of the vaccine is $140 including the administration costs.
** If your child has completed their recommended well visit schedule including their one year visit, they have more than likely completed the pneumococcal vaccine series.
Appointment policy:
Patients coming in for the 15 and 18 months checkup: No additional appointment is necessary. We will administer the new vaccine at your 15 and 18 months appointment.
Patients who have already had their 18 months check-up: Please call to schedule a shot only appointment.
(If your child already has a check-up visit scheduled in the upcoming 3 months, it is not necessary to schedule a separate appointment for they will be caught up at the check-up.)