Flu Shot Clinic Update

We hope that everyone is staying healthy and safe and getting settled in this new, unusual school year.  We wanted to share some important updates with you, including planning for upcoming Flu Shot Clinics. Please also note that we update our website regularly, please visit us at midtownpediatrics.ca for news on our Flu Shot Clinics and other important news and resources.

Flu Shot Clinics

Flu shots are not in yet but we have been working hard on a plan to deliver them in the safest and most efficient way possible as soon as they arrive.  Please read through carefully as things will be different this year due to the high demand for flu shots and the need to follow all COVID public health guidelines.

A few general points about the flu shot:

• Flu shots can be given to anyone over 6 months of age.
• The nasal spray is not available this year.
• All children under 9 years of age receiving the flu shot for the first time must receive 2 doses, 1 month apart.

1. Flu shots might be delivered as early as this week and there is a chance that we might have our first clinic this coming Sunday, October 11th.  

2. We never know how many doses we receive, so Flu Shot Clinics this year will be by appointment only.  There will be no walk-ins.  We must make sure we have enough for all the patients attending. 

3. We can only offer flu shots to registered patients from Midtown Pediatrics.

4. Since we are planning for this Sunday, we are going to start creating a first come first serve list of patients to enter into a tentative schedule.  Samantha and Rita are fielding an unprecedented number of calls and emails these days so please follow these instructions:

• We have a new dedicated email address just for scheduling flu shots.
• To add your children to the Flu Shot Clinic list, please send only one email to [email protected]. 
• In your email, please include the names and ages of all the children you will be bringing to the Flu Shot Clinic. 
• As soon as we receive our shipment and know the number of doses we have, we will contact you with an appointment time.  Please be patient.  You will hear from us as soon as we have your appointment time.
• If our first clinic fills up, the next families on the list will be kept in priority sequence for our next clinics.

5. For safety and efficiency, the Flu Shot Clinics will run on a very tight schedule.  

• If you have symptoms of COVID, please stay home and reschedule your appointment.
• Please arrive 5 minutes early for your appointment.  Late-comers will have to be rescheduled.
• We request that there be no more than one adult per child attending the clinic.
• When you arrive, please wait outside or in your car.  Everyone will be screened for COVID by a physician before coming up to the clinic.  Please call the office 416-489-3273 upon your arrival. If the line is busy or you get our voicemail, please try again. Do not leave a message. We will not be checking messages during the clinic. No one will be permitted to enter the clinic without being screened.
  
• Once you are screened, the doctor will let you know when you can come upstairs and you will be directed to one of the examining rooms.  
• Masks are required for everyone aged 2 and over entering the clinic.
• Please sanitize hands upon entry to the clinic.
• Families will exit through a different door after their flu shots.
• Rooms will be cleaned between patients.

6. If our clinics are not convenient for you, please note that Toronto Public Health will also be offering flu shots.  Click here for more information.

7. For children 5 years and older and parents, flu shots are also available in pharmacies.

Grade 7 shots

Clinics in all schools are suspended for the fall of 2020. Students in grades 7/8 can still receive their vaccinations for Hepatitis B, HPV and Menactra at Toronto Public Health community clinics later in the fall, by appointment. Public Health will notify you when these clinics open.

Back to school or daycare doctor’s notes

Please be aware that we are unable to provide back to school or daycare notes.  Doctor’s notes are not an appropriate use of health system resources, especially while COVID-19 is causing unprecedented strain on the health-care system.  They potentially put patients, teachers and contacts at further risk and physicians are not generally in a position to adjudicate such matters.  The Pediatrics Section of the Ontario Medical Association has created a Parent Attestation Form that will hopefully help parents and schools assess whether or not it is safe or prudent to go back to school/daycare or work. This form is posted on our website.

As we all continue to navigate these challenging times, know that we continue to be here for you.  You can reach us by email ([email protected]) or phone 416-489-3273.

Also, please note that we are constantly revising our clinic’s policies and procedures based on the current local COVID-19 situation and that they may change at any time.  We do our best to keep you up to date with major changes.  Please visit us at midtownpediatrics.ca for regular updates.

Stay safe!