What is new this Flu and COVID Vaccine Season?

What is recommended for influenza vaccines this year?

• The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older.
• The Flu shot (ages 6 months - 64 years) and the FluMist (ages 2 - 49 years with some restrictions, see here) are recommended equally. 
• The self-administered FluMist (FluMistHome.com) is not available in the state of Minnesota this year.

What is recommended for COVID vaccines this year?

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following for the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine (found here):
  • Children 6-23 months should receive the primary series of 2 doses, 8 weeks apart. If they have already received their primary series, they should receive one 2025-26 booster at least 8 weeks after the primary series was completed.*
  • Children 2-18 years who are at High Risk should receive one COVID booster.
    
    • High risk children are those at high risk of severe disease from COVID (see here), are in the same household as someone else who is high risk, have never been vaccinated against COVID, or live in a congregate setting. Moderately - severely immunocompromised patients may need 2+ doses (see here).*
  • Children 2-18 years who are not high risk may receive a COVID booster this year if they desire one.*
  • *The CDC currently allows healthy children to receive the COVID booster upon shared medical-decision making with their provider (see here). We at Pediatric Services agree with the AAP and recommend the COVID booster as a safe and effective way to prevent severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. 

What is different about COVID vaccine recommendations this year?

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations differ from the current indications approved by the FDA label. The CDC's vaccine advisory group (ACIP) was recently replaced and has yet to vote on COVID vaccine recommendations.  
• The impact of the differences of these recommendations and upcoming vote are unclear. The American Academy of Pediatrics is working hard to ensure access to COVID vaccines for all children and to continue to be a resource for trusted, scientific information.
• We at Pediatric Services agree with and are following the AAP's recommendations. We will continue to follow the situation and update you as changes occur.

How to Get Your Flu and COVID Vaccines: 

At Well Visits

Does your child have an upcoming well visit?

• We highly encourage you to have your child get their Flu shot, FluMist, and/or Moderna COVID vaccine at their well visit this Fall.
• No need to preregister to get these vaccines - just let your provider know!

Can parents and siblings get their Flu and Moderna COVID vaccines at that time too?

• Parents may ONLY get a Flu vaccine at their child's well visit; COVID vaccines are NOT available for parents. 
• Siblings are encouraged to get COVID and Flu vaccines at well visits!
• To do so, parents and siblings MUST be preregistered to receive these vaccines at their child's well visit. Simply send a general portal message to get all family members on the schedule in advance.  

At Vaccine Only Visits

• Please give our office a call for a Flu shot, FluMist, and/or Moderna COVID booster vaccines and we will add you to our schedule. 
• Please call us at 952-922-4200 to make an appointment!

Frequently Asked Questions about COVID Vaccines

Tell me about this year's COVID booster. 

The Fall 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine targets one of the current circulating Omicron strains of the JN.1 lineage.

Does my child still need a COVID booster? I have heard some debate in the news.

Yes! Your trusted providers at Pediatric Services recommend the COVID booster, and are following the well-respected and data driven guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics. While severe COVID-19 requiring hospitalization and long term health issues is less common in children than in adults, it still happens, especially in very young children, and is preventable. Of those children hospitalized from COVID last year, most were under 4 years of age, 1 in 5 required admission to the Intensive Care Unit, the majority were unvaccinated, and half were previously healthy (see here). Data shows that the COVID vaccine is effective in preventing severe hospitalization and death in all age groups. Find more information from the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia here. 

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?

Yes. A recent independent review by the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease and Policy (CIDRAP) again affirmed that COVID vaccines are safe and effective at preventing severe disease and death in children, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. Read more about it here. We understand that this is a confusing time with a lot of misinformation - please portal message your provider with your questions and concerns! 

Will insurance coverage be different this year for COVID vaccines?

Historically insurance companies have looked to the CDC to determine what vaccines will be covered. The AAP has been meeting with insurance payer groups over the last month to try to ensure coverage if COVID vaccine guidelines deviated from the CDC. We are monitoring the situation closely and will update you as we learn more.

Who is Homeland Health, who is hosting some of your clinics?

We are partnering with Homeland Health to help provide our patients and families with more convenient opportunities to get vaccinated, without pulling our staff from their daily clinic work and affecting patient care. Homeland Health will primarily provide vaccination appointments on Thursday evenings and some Saturday mornings. You can learn more about them here.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about Influenza Vaccines