RCAM Seasonal Vaccine Updates: Flu, RSV Antibody, and COVID Vaccines

You may now call and schedule your child's Flu Vaccine for the upcoming Flu Season.

Appointments begin at the end of September. Currently we have appointments available through October. We will continue to add new clinic dates as long as we have vaccine available.
We are encouraging our patients 12 years and up to get their Flu Vaccine at a local pharmacy, but they can get it in our office if needed.
We want to be sure to have plenty of vaccine available for children age 6 months to 11 years who may have a more difficult time locating Flu Vaccine.
As always, we will be offering Flu Vaccine to patients who find themselves in the office for a well visit or other office visit while supplies last. Time permitting, we will offer to siblings who may also be present in the office.
Flu Vaccine Clinic is for Flu Vaccine only.

NOW SCHEDULING RSV ANTIBODY VACCINE FOR INFANTS UNDER 8 MONTHS OLD

RSV Antibody Vaccine - This vaccine is offered to infants at the start of RSV Season. It contains actual antibody to RSV and provides immediate help against RSV. RCAM recommends and offers this vaccine to our youngest patients.
Adult RSV Vaccine - This vaccine is offered to pregnant mothers and to the elderly. RCAM does not offer Adult RSV Vaccine but does encourage it for our pregnant mothers if youR obstetrician also recommends it for you.

RCAM will offer RSV Antibody Vaccine beginning on October 1, 2025.
This vaccine is recommended for all babies less than 8 months old unless their mothers received adult RSV Vaccine between their 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
Infants coming to our office for a well visit in October or November will be offered RSV Antibody Vaccine at their appointment.
Infants not coming to our office in October or November can schedule RSV Antibody Vaccine in our RSV Antibody Vaccine Clinic. These appointments are for RSV Antibody Vaccine only.
Infants who are considered High Risk are also eligible for RSV Antibody Vaccine at ages 8 through 19 months old. No baby is eligible once they turn 20 months old.
More information about RSV Antibody Vaccine for infants can be found here.

NOW SCHEDULING COVID-19 VACCINE FOR 6 MONTHS TO 11 YEARS OLD

Unfortunately, COVID Vaccination is complicated this year. For that reason, it can only be administered during a visit with one of our 9 pediatric providers.
We can only offer COVID vaccination to patients 6 months to 11 years old. If your child is 12 years old or older, they will have to get it elsewhere because we do not carry their dose.
COVID vaccine is FDA approved only for patients with high-risk conditions (listed below), but we can now offer COVID vaccine 'off-label' to anyone regardless of high-risk condition status ages 6 months to 11 years old.
If you have commercial insurance and your child is in a high-risk category, you can schedule an appointment with one of our providers to get the COVID vaccine now.
If you have Medicaid insurance, the CDC is not providing COVID vaccine for anyone yet. We are unable to order state COVID vaccine. We are unhappy being forced to offer different care to our patients because of what health insurance they have. If you would like to contact your United States Senator from North Carolina, here is there contact information.

Asthma (moderate to severe): As a chronic lung disease, it increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Blood cancers and other immunocompromising conditions: This includes children undergoing chemotherapy, solid organ or blood stem cell transplant recipients, and those on immunosuppressive drugs.
Cardiovascular disease: This category includes congenital heart disease, heart failure, and cardiomyopathies.
Chronic kidney and liver diseases: These include conditions such as cirrhosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and autoimmune hepatitis.
Cystic fibrosis: This is a hereditary disease that affects the lungs and digestive system.
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2): Diabetes is a chronic condition associated with increased risk of severe illness.
Disabilities: This includes a range of conditions such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Genetic, neurologic, or metabolic conditions: These can increase the likelihood of severe COVID-19.
Obesity: The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases sharply with higher body mass index (BMI >95th percentile).
Sickle cell disease: This genetic blood disorder can be linked to more serious outcomes from COVID-19.

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