Before a routine check-up, it is wise to review the Vaccine Information Statements for the planned vaccines. For babies under one, a new, simplified multi-vaccine statement is now available. Consult our preventive care schedule to learn which vaccines will be offered at later check-ups. A good source for information on vaccines is www.immunize.org, the non-profit Immunization Action Coalition.

Please call us to schedule your child's flu vaccine during regular hours Mon-Sat in the fall. We will offer both the injectible flu shot for all, and the FluMist for age 2 and up. Alternatively, you may call the St Louis Immunization Coalition at 314.644.4FLU(4358) or consult the Flu Clinic Locator on the web to learn about other sites with vaccine available. 

For children under 9, a booster vaccine one month later is recommended only if this is their first full season of flu vaccination.

Children with egg allergy should not receive either type of flu vaccination.

All children, and parents and household c ontacts of children under 5 are advised to obtain a flu vaccine. Consult your physician, or check our link to Visiting Nurses Association , or the resources listed above, for current information on Flu Vaccine Clinics. Many Walgreens and Target pharmacies are also offering seasonal flu vaccines to adults.

In addition to the routine childhood vaccines, we also stock the following optional vacccines.

• Gardisil (HPV vaccine) - offered to girls age 9-26 to protect from HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer. We strongly recommend this vaccine, due to the very high prevalance of this virus.
• Hepatitis A - required for jobs in food service, nursing homes, and day care, and offered routinely at the 1 and 2 year check ups, and to anyone older who hasn't had it.
• Menactra (meningococcal vaccine)- required by most colleges for students living in dorms; offered to all over 11. Now a booster is advised at age 16-18 years.
• Rotavirus vaccination (RotaTeq)- this is given by mouth at the 2, 4, & 6 month check up to protect against a highly contagious virus that causes an epidemic of green watery diarrhea every winter.

Read more about the CDC's Pre-Teen Vaccine Campaign targeting 11 and 12 year olds to get the Tdap vaccine (which also boosts pertussis protection, unlike the old Td) and menengicoccal vaccine, and (if female) HPV vaccine.

Patients needing special vaccinations for exotic travel are referred to the travel medicine clinic at the St. Louis County Health Department or Passport Health.