Mask Policy Update

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Beginning Friday, May 12th, most patients and families will not be required to wear a mask in our office.  However, you do still need to wear a mask if you have:  

  • A fever or other flu-like symptoms.  

  • A known COVID-19 infection and are in the isolation period.  

  • A known exposure to COVID-19 within the last 10 days.  

Individuals who prefer to wear a mask while in our office regardless of their symptoms or exposures are welcome to do so.  In addition, our providers and staff with direct patient contact are happy to wear a mask at your request during visits.   

We will continue to offer both in-person and parking-lot check-in for all patients depending on your comfort level.   

Please note that the Department of Public Health is continuing to track COVID-19 cases in the community, and masks may become required again in our office if there is an increase in respiratory illness.  For the safety of our patients and staff, we ask for your flexibility and respect toward this matter.  

Opening our Waiting Room for All Visits

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As RPA prepares for the much anticipated announcement from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to end the public health emergency on May 11th, we continue to assess and adapt our office policies as appropriate. The overall well-being of our patients and staff is always our first priority. RPA has continued to weigh the risks and benefits of fully opening our waiting room to all patients (both sick and well) vs. continuing the parking lot check-in process for sick patients.

Effective Monday, May 1st, we will fully open our waiting room to all patients (both sick and well) but will also continue to offer parking lot check-in via telephone and MyChart check-in to all patients. We highly encourage the MyChart option to check-in for all well visits (whether from the parking lot or the waiting room) so that all required questionnaires can be completed electronically before the office visit. If you prefer to wait in the parking lot rather than the waiting room, you can still call from your car to check-in and inform the staff that you prefer to be called into the office when your room is ready.

Our hope is to increase patient satisfaction by allowing all patients the opportunity to check-in and attend visits according to their individual comfort level. We will keep monitoring the situation and may revert back to parking lot check-in for sick patients during times of increased illness. Thank you for your patience and willingness to be flexible.

Should you have any questions or concerns with this new policy, please feel free to contact the office at 617-522-3100 and ask to speak with the Practice Administrator. Your feedback is always welcomed and appreciated.

ADHD Medication Shortage

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Unfortunately there has been a nationwide shortage of medications for ADHD, or stimulant medications. If you or your child is taking a stimulant medication, we highly recommend calling 7-10 days before you run out of it since it might take that long for it to be in stock again.

If you are running low and your pharmacy is out of stock please give us a call.

Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for 6 months to 4 years

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The FDA and CDC have approved the use of a bivalent vaccine in the 6 month through 4 year population.  There are different recommendations as to who is eligible depending on whether your child received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for the initial series.

Pfizer:  

If your child has COMPLETED the three-dose series with the Pfizer vaccine, they are NOT currently eligible for a bivalent booster dose.  There is research that will be available in January 2023 that will be used to guide if and when a booster with the bivalent vaccine would be recommended.

If your child has received DOSE 1 OR DOSE 2 of the three-dose series, it is recommended that the new, bivalent vaccine is used for DOSE 3 which would be given in accordance to the previously established time-line, 8 weeks after dose 2.

To clarify, the Pfizer bivalent vaccine for ages 6 months through 4 years is currently only being used for DOSE 3 of the three-dose series.

Moderna: 

If your child has COMPLETED the two-dose series with the Moderna vaccine, they are eligible for a Moderna bivalent vaccine 2 MONTHS after completing DOSE 2 of the primary series.  

These boosters are not interchangeable, so if your child received 2 doses of Moderna they can only receive the Moderna bivalent booster, and if they have had 2 doses of Pfizer, they can only receive the Pfizer bivalent 3rd dose.

We will continue to offer Pfizer vaccines at Roslindale Pediatrics. We have ordered the Pfizer bivalent vaccine for ages 6 months through 4 years and will notify you when the vaccine has arrived in the clinic.

As a reminder, you can search vaxfinder.mass.gov to find an available vaccine appointment for your child.

Respiratory Illness Information

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We have been seeing a dramatic rise in respiratory illnesses from viruses now that the COVID19 restrictions have been lifted. The American Academy of Pediatrics has a few resources to help parents understand these viruses, how to help manage their children at home, and when to call to have them seen.

RSV - When it’s more than just a cold

COVID19 vs RSV vs FLU

CDC Symptom Length for Common Cold


Call us with any concerns and if you feel your child needs to be seen.

Similac Ready to Feed Formula Voluntary Recall

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Abbott has a voluntary recall on 2 oz ready to feed formulas due to small amount of bottles not being properly sealed. Use this link to find out more information from the FDA. Below we have listed some of the lot numbers. If you have this formula please do not use.

If your child has consumed one of these products, there is a small chance it might lead to GI upset. If you have any concerns about symptoms please call our office.

2 oz Similac 360 Total care Advance

-Item Number 68708

-Bottle Lot number 39633N200

-Case/Bag Lot Number 420258H00

2 oz Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive

-Item Number 68711

-Bottle Lot Number 41843N200

-Case/Bag Lot Number 430328H00

COVID-19 Bivalent Booster for 5-11 year olds

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The CDC and FDA have approved the COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine for children 5 and older. It is recommended that everyone 5 and older receive the bivalent vaccine booster 2 months after their last vaccine or their last booster. It is NOT recommended for the 1st or 2nd dose in the COVID-19 series.

We will be offering the pfizer COVID-19 bivalent booster. Until we receive the vaccine we will not be offering a booster for age 5-11, as per CDC guidelines. Check back here for updates on when it will be available. If you had scheduled an appointment for the COVID-19 booster please call to reschedule for a time when it will be available.

Here is some more information on this new booster and the other recommended COVID-19 vaccines: COVID-19 vaccine CDC FAQ’s

FLU VACCINES AND COVID-19 BOOSTERS

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It’s that time of the year again – Flu Vaccine time. We are in the process of planning our flu clinics, which will likely begin in a few weeks on the weekends. In the interim, if you are able to get your flu shot elsewhere, do not hesitate to do so. They are easily available through local pharmacies.

We are also hoping to provide COVID-19 booster shots, including the new bivalent vaccine, at upcoming clinics. We are recommending that those patients eligible for the new bivalent vaccine do get it. There are a few community based clinics going on as well, all listed on the vaxfinder website. The below clinic is in JP on Sept 16th:

https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/locations/jamaica-plain-ellis-childrens-pediatric-5-11-years-september-16-only/

 

Check back here and through the patient portal for updates on dates and availability for our clinics. If you are coming to our office for a visit, ask about the flu or COVID-19 vaccine, as we are often able to give them at visits. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to try to get as many of our patients vaccinated as quickly as possible!