Coronavirus

The FDA has recently approved both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for children as young as 6 months old. MedPeds has two Covid Immunization Clinics for first vaccines for the youngest children ages 6 months through 5 years. The clinics for these smallest children will be held Saturday mornings, July 9th and July 16th. Appointments are required for all Coronavirus vaccines for all ages, including the youngest children, but space is limited so call 301-498-8880 soon.

Click to print and bring the REQUIRED completed vaccination checklist with you to the appointment:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/downloads/pre-vaccination-screening-form.pdf

THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE COVID-19? If you’re having difficulty breathing, call ahead before going to an emergency room. If you’re not having difficulty breathing, you may have COVID-19 or the flu or something else. You may feel really awful, have a fever, body aches, cough, and respiratory symptoms, or you may not feel sick at all. Call to schedule a SICK or telemedicine visit. Sick Visits are limited to certain hours of the day currently. We can do a Covid test during your sick visit if needed.

Second Vaccines: After the first vaccine is given, a second may be given any time after 21 days (Pfizer) or 28 days (Moderna) and we have set aside several Fridays for these second vaccines, or the vaccine may be given at a regularly scheduled Well Child visit.

For Pfizer: a third dose should be given 5 months after the second vaccine. We are waiting to hear whether a 3rd dose may be required for Moderna for 6 mo – 5 years.

The FDA has released information about the vaccines which you can access using the links below:

Moderna

6 months – 5 years - https://www.fda.gov/media/159309/download
6 - 11 years - https://www.fda.gov/media/159310/download
12 years and up - https://www.fda.gov/media/144638/download

Pfizer

6 months – 4 years - https://www.fda.gov/media/159313/download
5 – 11 years - https://www.fda.gov/media/153717/download
12 years and up - https://www.fda.gov/media/153716/download

TESTING FOR COVID-19
We are sorry that, due to the unprecedented need for appointments, we are no longer able to offer high volume vaccine clinics. You may need to go to a state-operated testing clinic or an urgent care center.

1-855-MDGOVAX – for people who need assistance or do not have access to the internet to sign up for a Covid-19 vaccine. Patients who are eligible and live in Maryland can call this number to get help signing up for a vaccine online.

NO WALK-INS

The following link directs to an excellent article that explains the COVID-19 pandemic and how it spreads: https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99ca

TWO TIPS TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE DURING THE PANDEMIC:

If you are eligible, get vaccinated and boosted!
Wear a high quality mask and social distance around others.

Please feel free to download the MedPeds Coronavirus Letter for Employers from the Patient Resources page.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine is covered by all insurance companies doing business in the state of Maryland.

You must be physically in Maryland or one of the states bordering Maryland at the time of your visit: VA, DC, PA, DE, WV, or NC. We cannot offer you telemedicine if you are anywhere else.

You will receive an email when the provider is ready for the visit. Using an iPhone, iPad, Android, or PC/MAC with camera, click on the link in the email to join the provider. If you see a screen telling you to download an app, do not download. Instead, click on the other link to start the visit using your browser.

In-Office Visits

MedPeds is in office almost fully now, with few exceptions. We follow CDC guidelines to screen patients the day before or the morning of the every office appointment. Patients may be seen in the office for all visit types, however patients with exposure or who exhibit COVID-like symptoms, must be seen by telemedicine only.

Only patients with appointments are admitted to the office. Children and adults requiring assistance may be accompanied by one other adult. For newborns, both parents may come with the child.

All patients and visitors are scanned to ensure there is no fever. No one entering the office can have had a fever in the previous 24 hours, nor have used a fever reducing meds.

You will receive a text reminder a few days before your appointment. Please complete the “check-in” a day or two before your appointment. The check-in includes a required covid pre-screening questionnaire.

Arrive 15 minutes early. Then, using the same text message link, click on “I have arrived” when you are in our parking lot. The receptionist will verify your pre-screening has been completed and let you know when to come into the suite. Someone will admit you to the office as the door will be closed.