Weiser & Associates        

***2009 Influenza Season***

  Click here to read an article from the Philadelphia Inquirer addressing questions and concerns about the H1N1 vaccine and virus.

Please read below in the left-hand column for information regarding the H1N1 vaccine and our other Influenza vaccines. 

 Flu Shots - 2009 Season   

The influenza vaccine is recommended for children ages 6 months and older.  Although this is the recommendation of our physicians, we prioritize the flu vaccine for children with conditions that could cause them to become seriously ill if they contract the influenza virus. 

We will try, as always, to accommodate all of our patients.  Vaccines are limited to patients only; we will not be administering to parents at this time.  If we have an overstock of vaccines later in the year, we will post it on our site.

Types of Flu Shots Available:

Influenza vaccine ages 6 months-35 months: This vaccine is preservative-free and is administered in the arm. 

Influenza vaccine ages 3 years and older:   This vaccine is for anyone over the age of 36 months and is administered in the arm.

Flumist:  NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.  This vaccine is approved for ages 3 yrs and up.  You must be fever free and it is recommended that you are healthy at the time of administration.  This vaccine is given in the nose via a mist (similar to a nasal spray). 

H1N1 (Swine flu):  AVAILABLE!  We have received our shipment on 1/8/10.  Vaccines will be available to current patients and parents.  Please call the office to schedule an appointment. 

*******IMPORTANT*******

If you schedule a flu shot and at the time of your visit you need to see a physician for reasons other than the vaccine, your wait time will increase.  You will be required to register for an office visit and a copay will be charged for your visit.  NO EXCEPTIONS.  This is necessary to keep the flow of the flu shots at a steady rate. 

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Payments/Copays

Each year we try diligently to find out the rules of each insurance company when it comes to flu shots.  As you may be aware, we accept many different insurances and it is not possible for us to know your plan exactly.  Some insurance companies do not cover vaccines or certain types of the flu vaccine, please check with your insurance company.

Some require copays even though the visit is for a vaccine only.  As a general rule, any patients with the following insurances DO NOT require a copay for vaccines only (this may vary by group so this is not a definite):

• Personal Choice, Keystone, United Healthcare
• Aetna* (only if your ID number is a combination of letters and numbers, example:  BBCCD1KK)
• *Any Aetna plans that have an ID number that begins with a "W" followed by all numbers ARE REQUIRED TO PAY A COPAY for the flu vaccine.
• Most Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans do not require a copay, but there are many variations to this insurance so you should check with them first.

We give you this information as a courtesy.  It is not possible for us to know the specifics of each individual's policy.  You may be billed for balances due.