Flu vaccines are now available for the 2021-22 flu season. We have important changes to our process, so make sure you read all of this information before scheduling .
- AHCCS and self-pay patients : We have not yet received our allotment of flu vaccines from the state for the VFC (Vaccines For Children) program. We will post here when it arrives so that our patients without insurance and those with AHCCCS can schedule their appointments.
- Nasal spray flu vaccine (Flumist) : We have a limited number available this year. These are for patients only, not for parents. When you schedule your child's appointment, you can put in your preference for the nasal spray version. Click HERE for a list of the contraindications and precautions regarding the nasal flu vaccine.
- Flu vaccines for parents: We are again offering the vaccine to parents (but not the nasal version). All parents must fill out THIS FORM and bring it to the appointment in order to get the vaccine and please call us after scheduling so we can verify your insurance. Any parent who has not received a vaccine from us in the past will have to call us and get themselves registered as a patient before scheduling.
- Drive through: We will be giving the flu vaccines as a drive through service. There will be signs directing traffic for flu vaccines to the back of the building where staff will come out to your vehicle to administer the vaccines.
- Drivers: If the driver of the vehicle is going to get the injectable version, they will have to pull into a parking spot after receiving the vaccine and wait for 10 minutes before driving off.
- Masks: Please make sure that everyone over two is wearing a mask and that those getting a shot wear clothing that makes their arms (or legs for infants) easily accessible.
Instructions for scheduling on the portal:
- First, i f you already have an appointment scheduled (like for a preventive visit) then you don't need to schedule a separate one for flu vaccine. We will be happy to give the vaccine to your child at that visit (and any parents or siblings who you want to bring along).
- Log in to your portal account: Patient Portal
- Click the "Schedule an Appointment" box. If you don't see that box when you log in, click the calendar icon on the left side of the screen (just below the home icon) and then click "Request a new appointment".
- If asked "Who is this appointment for?", select the patient you are scheduling and click "Continue". (If you want to schedule for a parent and they are not listed, you need to call our office to register as a patient first.)
- Click "Continue" again
- Select the appointment type. For the flu shot, select "Flu Shot: 3 years and older" or "Flu Shot: under 3 years" depending on the age of the patient. For the nasal, select "Flu Nasal: 2 years and up"
- Enter a reason for the appointment and click "Continue" - you can just put "Flu shot"
- Select the insurance plan you will be using and click "Continue" (you can enter new insurance information here if your insurance has changed).
- Use the Appointment Date and Time Search to find your desired appointment. Leave "Preferred Provider" as "Any". If you have several people to schedule, they don't need to be all at the same time. Just put them in the schedule as close to one another as you can (all the same morning or the same afternoon) and you can bring them all at the time of any of the scheduled appointments.
- Click "Yes, schedule this appointment" and you're done!
Information About Flu Vaccine
Flu vaccination is recommended for all people 6 months of age and older. The flu vaccine is offered in injectable and nasal spray forms.
Those who are at highest risk from the flu (and therefore for whom we most strongly recommend the vaccine) are:
- children aged 6 months to 5 years
- children and adolescents who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and, therefore, might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome with influenza virus infection
- women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
- adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma (hypertension is not considered a high-risk condition)
- adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunodeficiency (including immunodeficiency caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus [HIV])
- adults and children who have any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders).
- residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions
- persons aged > 65 years
Also, a flu vaccine is strongly recommended for any household contact of any of the people listed above and for anyone who works in health care.
Children under 9 years of age who have not received at least 2 doses of flu vaccine in the past are recommended to get 2 doses this year, at least 4 weeks apart.
