Children’s Hospital of Erlanger is now accepting appointments to receive the Beyfortus respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine through Children’s General Pediatrics located at the Kennedy Outpatient Center.
According to Steve Topping, vice president of operations for Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, “This initiative provides an important opportunity to protect our youngest and most at-risk community members from a potentially severe respiratory virus. By offering access to this critical vaccine, we aim to reduce hospitalizations, keep children healthy during RSV season, and give families peace of mind.
Ultimately, this effort supports the well-being of our entire community, helping ensure our children stay safe and healthy.”
Vaccine clinics will be held at the following times: Friday, Nov. 15, Nov. 22, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 between 8:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Appointments are scheduled in 15-minute increments. Referrals are required – walk-in appointments are not available. Talk to your pediatrician if you are interested in receiving the vaccine. For scheduling, the Contact Center (423-778-KIDS) will confirm that the vaccine is available either through Vaccines for Children or private insurance.
To be eligible for the vaccine, patients may have any pediatrician, but they must be a patient of Erlanger and Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, (born at Erlanger Baroness Hospital or Erlanger East Hospital, followed by a Children’s Hospital at Erlanger subspecialist, etc.).
Officials said, "RSV is a highly contagious virus that is easily spread from person to person, most often through coughing or sneezing and causes infections of the lungs and breathing passages. It typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most people, especially in children."
For more information, contact 423-778-KIDS.