[Stormster]

Call you and suggest things like "We are doing flu shots now and we suggest your child comes in for one by X date" or do you have to call them to ask?

and

Do they have a lab to do bloodwork on the premises?

Thanks.

[SuzBerg]

Stormster - Our ped's office does not call and suggest flu shots, I would have to call. If we are in around that time for a visit she does recommend Em and the boys get the flu shot. (The boys can get the flumist but Em has to have the shot - I got them scheduled for next week.)

No lab on the premises - if it's a really important we take her up to the hospital to have it done (a total nightmare), if it's just a routine work up the draw the blood at the office but we have to wait several days for results since they send it to an offsite lab. We usually have to go to the hospital though which pretty much sucks.

[SchmennaLeigh]

1. No. Because we chose our office specifically to avoid vaccine drama. We call to let them know when we want vaccines. (That said, we were just in the office today for Nick's ear infection and signs are up about flu vaccines and dates for freebies and what not so if you're a flu vaxing family, you might want to call now! )

2. It depends what the labwork is; the normal, everyday stuff, yes. Big scary stuff, no.

[DPline]

No, they do not call. We have to call and set appointments for everything.

Yes, they do have a lab on site. There are 5 pediatricians, several adult internal medicine MD's, one OB/GYN, and maybe a couple other specialists I am forgetting, so it is quite a big facility.

[Asha0314]

I do not get any reminders for flu shots or other suggestions.

Blood is drawn on the premises but I'm not sure if any testing is done there.

[startedover]

They just post it at the office. I haven't decided if we are going to get it or not. I would be less leary of mist but she can't get it till jan whne flu season is half over. Would love to hear more from everyone on that subject.

[Fran27]

Well we talked when I was there a month ago and he said to call back mid-september to get an appointment for the flu shots. So I guess he reminded us.

I have no idea about the bloodwork... but it's in a hospital so I'm guessing they can do it.

[Stormster]

How old do they have to be for the mist and is it equally effective?

[mommamarci]

They do not call with reminders except to remind us a few days before a scheduled appointment.

They do draw blood there, but we have major trouble with Cameron and blood draws, so we usually have to go elsewhere. (For his genetic testing, he was poked 4 different times on 2 different days by the best children's people they had before they got a vial out of him...)

[Stormster]

Originally Posted by mommamarci

They do draw blood there, but we have major trouble with Cameron and blood draws, so we usually have to go elsewhere. (For his genetic testing, he was poked 4 different times on 2 different days by the best children's people they had before they got a vial out of him...)

This is my big issue! I watched E poked and prodded so many times including failed attempts at a pic line and a spinal tap so I'm very reticent to take him to a Quest Lab as our Pdoc requested for a Lead Toxicity Test.

I simply cannot do it. I have been to the Quest labs in our area and they aren't even good with me! I just want to find a good pdoc who can draw blood on the premises.

Seems like nobody really gets calls about the flu vaccines.

[SuzBerg]

Stormster -

The first year my boys got the flumist was about 3 years ago. They had to be over five years old (at that time - I'm not sure if that is still the age limit or not). nobody had any adverse reaction to it. It was much better than the shot because obviously they didn't have to get stuck with a needle. It's just like a nasal spray, they both said it felt funny but it was much better than a shot. Unfortunatley, their lil sister had to have the shot because at that time she was only four, but because of chronic health problems the flumist is not recommended for her anyway. I am not sure what the statistics are on if the shot is better than the mist or what. I followed my pediatricians recommendation in this case.