The Childhealth Center PA

Good news! Ours phones and internet are working again!

We apologize so much if you were trying to reach us today! BOTH our phones AND internet were down (and still are down!). Charter says it's related to the weather and they are working on it. As a result of the outage, we could not send in prescriptions by eRx or fax (we hand-wrote the ones that we needed do today), and we could not receive any outside lab results. Hopefully the problem will be fixed over the weekend. We will be open Monday as planned. Have a safe weekend, stay warm!
And... Merry Christmas!

If you cannot get through on our main line 828-322-4453, try 828-322-4554, 828-322-4555 or 828-324-4076. Again, Sorry for any inconvenience. They are diligently working on our phone system.

Our phones are not working this morning. A technician is on the way to check the problem. We are so sorry for any inconvenience. Hopefully they will be up soon.

Happy Halloween from TCC! 🎃🍭🍬

Character Day!

Dress up days, Decades Day! 🌼🛼💖

Dress up days, Gru and the Minions! 💛💙🖤

Dress up days at TCC! Today, Cruella and her Dalmatian Puppies!! 🐶🖤🤍

Flu shots are now available! Call the office today to get on our schedule. 828-322-4453

Let's Not Miss Our Moment to #EndGunViolence

Guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the US. In 2020, 4,357 children and teens lost their lives to gun violence. Children who will miss birthdays, graduations, and the everyday moments that make up a life. Too many children have missed too many moments.
Let's not miss our moment to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=6L1ClzMwblw&feature=youtu.be

Let's Not Miss Our Moment to #EndGunViolence Guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. In 2020, 4,357 children and teens lost their lives to gun violence. Children...

FREE SWIM LESSONS at the Hickory Foundation YMCA for Hickory residents ages 6 months to 12 years old!
To be eligible, residents must complete a Residency Verification Form and provide a copy of their birth certificate. Verification forms are available at the Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Dept Administrative Offices and Brown Penn Recreation Center. For more information, contact Recreation & Special Events Coordinator, Angela Carson, at 828-261-2249 .
We encourage all of our patients to learn how to swim!

The office will be closed on Monday, June 30, in observance of Memorial Day.

Welcome back to the TCC waiting rooms! Our fish have missed you!
Starting tomorrow, Monday May 16, patients will park their car and walk into the waiting rooms to check-in. We will require masks for those ages 4 years and up. If you cannot wear a mask or prefer not to be in the waiting room, you will be given a pager so you can wait outside.
Anyone who has a known Covid-19 exposure will be asked to stay in their car and call to tell us they have arrived, instead of coming into the waiting room.
Please note that, since we no longer have the drive-up check-in, the flow of the parking lot will go back to the original design.

With the baby formula shortage, what should I do if I can't find any?

Timely information from the AAP regarding current formula shortages.
Please call our office if you have questions about what choices to make for your child.

With the baby formula shortage, what should I do if I can't find any? ​Shortages of infant formulas have occurred in some stores, mostly due to pandemic-related supply chain issues and a recent large-scale recall of contaminated products. Read on for tips for families struggling to find infant formula.

Formula Recall

POWDERED INFANT FORMULA RECALL: Three brands of powdered infant formula have been recalled due to possible Cronobacter contamination. Do not feed your baby recalled formula.

Do not use Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas if they meet all 3 of these conditions:
• First two digits of the code are 22 through 37, and
• Code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and
• Use-by date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later

Throw away any remaining powdered formula or return it for a refund. Visit FDA’s recall website for more information: https://go.usa.gov/xtuHS.

We will be operating on a 2 hour delay tomorrow, Wednesday January 19th. We will open at 10am.

Our office will open tomorrow, Tuesday January 18th, at noon. If you have a morning appointment, we will call you to reschedule. Thank you, be safe and enjoy the snow!

Our office will open tomorrow, Tuesday January 18th, at noon. If you have a morning appointment, we will call you to reschedule. Thank you, be safe and enjoy the snow!

Our office will be closed tomorrow due to inclement weather. If you have a appointment tomorrow we will get you rescheduled ASAP. Stay warm, safe, and healthy!

Our office will be closed tomorrow due to inclement weather. If you have an appointment e will get your rescheduled ASAP. Stay warm, safe and healthy!

Please keep in mind during this busy season of Covid, flu, strep, etc that our schedules are absolutely FULL! It is not uncommon for us to run out of appointments early in the day. If you have an appointment, please be on time. If you are late, you will be rescheduled. If you cannot make your appointment, please give a 24 hour notice so that appointment can be used for another sick child. Please remember to be kind to our staff. We are doing the best we can to care for your children. Thank you!

The ChildHealth Center, PA

We now have the COVID-19 vaccine available for 5 y/o and up. For more information about our Covid-19 vaccine clinic click here:
http://www.thechildhealthcenter.com/covid19vaccineinfo.html

The ChildHealth Center, PA

Pediatricians Answer Your COVID-19 Questions

This 7 minute video answers many of the questions people may have about the COVID-19 vaccine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8KRPkgUcPE

Pediatricians Answer Your COVID-19 Questions Questions about the COVID vaccine and kids? Two pediatricians answer 10 common questions from parents.

COVID-19 and kids: How mRNA vaccines work

Great news! The COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for children ages 5-11 years old. We are in support of this vaccine and will be offering it in our office shortly (information will be posted soon on COVID-19 vaccine clinic days).
To better understand how this mRNA vaccine works, please see this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOlrNlvEiMw

COVID-19 and kids: How mRNA vaccines work Vaccination is the best way to protect your child from COVID-19. Learn how mRNA vaccines work like invisible coaches to teach your child's immune system to r...

Have a fun and safe weekend!! 🍭

We are currently looking to fill a full time clinic position in our office. RN, LPN, or MA, Resumes will be accepted. Fax resume to 828-324-9295

Due to impacts of COVID-19 and staffing shortages, please be patient with our office and kind to our staff. Some requests may take longer than normal. Patient wait times may exceed normal wait times. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Thank you!

Flu vaccines are here!
Our flu clinics will start October 12 - November 18. We will do them on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5-7pm.
Please call the office to schedule your flu shots.

We are currently looking to fill a full time clinic position in our office. RN, LPN, or MA, Resumes will be accepted. Fax resume to 828-324-9295

This is the news that many of you have been waiting for -- the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is FULLY APPROVED (not just for "emergency use") for those ages 16 years and up. Please get your vaccine if you have not already done so.

This graphic says it all -- the COVID-19 vaccine works! Also, the pandemic is not over and it's serious. Please get your vaccine if you have not done so already.

Children's Charity Charlotte - A Kid Again Central Carolinas Chapter

I am excited to tell you about a wonderful new program in our state -- "A KID AGAIN" (see link below to enroll or donate to this organization). This is a national children's charity that provides cost-free, fun-filled destination events ("adventures") throughout the year for children living with life-threatening events.

The Central Carolinas Chapter just opened recently in Charlotte. To qualify, a child must be under the age of 20 years, and have a medical physician verify that the child has a life-threatening condition (such as cancer, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, spinal muscular atrophy, muscular dystrophy, congenital heart disease, spina bifida, or other life-threatening illnesses).

The adventures include things such as collegiate and professional sports events, theme parks, zoos, mini golf and arcades, and holiday parties. Sometimes it might even be an activity box sent to the house. But all costs are paid and details planned, so families can relax and enjoy their time together. Check it out! https://akidagain.org/chapter/centralcarolinas/

Children's Charity Charlotte - A Kid Again Central Carolinas Chapter A Kid Again a children's charity in Charlotte. We provide year-round Adventures to families raising a child with a life-threatening conditions

First Kids VBS from First United Methodist Church brought us these beautiful bags yesterday to show their appreciation for health care workers. We are so appreciative. Thank you!! ❤️

We are currently experiencing a power outage at our office. Our phones are down as well. We apologize for any inconvenience. According to Duke power we should be up by 12.

COVID-19 vaccine update: As you may know, the COVID-19 vaccine is currently available to anyone age 16 years and up. We definitely recommend that everyone get the vaccine. Although kids have done better than adults overall with the COVID-19 infection, there is no predicting which kids may have the severe inflammatory syndrome from it ("MIS-C"). Also, some people have long-term symptoms from having infection with COVID-19, including cardiac problems. For these reasons, it is our recommendation that everyone who is able get the vaccine.

Currently, the Moderna vaccine is approved for use for age 18 years and up, and the Pfizer vaccine is approved for use for age 16 years and up. You may have heard the news that the FDA has just authorized emergency use for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for ages 12 years and up. The studies have shown that it is safe and effective. However, it will not be available until the CDC meets (on Wednesday this week) to give their recommendations.

Details on the vaccine: It cannot be given with any other vaccine (such at Tdap or other school vaccines). You have to wait 2 weeks after having another vaccine before you can get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Then there is 3 weeks between the first and second doses of those vaccines. Then wait another 2 weeks after the 2nd vaccine before you can get another vaccine.

The best place to get the COVID-19 vaccine currently is the Catawba County Health Dept (which has been running a clinic at the Hickory Metro Convention Center). Call them at 828-282-2002 for details. Previously, they had walk-in clinics on Tues, Wed, and Thurs from 9 am- 5 pm, but I'm not sure if that is continuing.

It is possible that we will carry the COVID-19 vaccine at TCC at some time in the future, but currently it has been too difficult logistically to do so. We will keep you posted if that becomes available!

TCC Employee Easter Egg hunt! It was a beautiful day with lots of fun, laughter, candy and prizes!

covid19.ncdhhs.gov

Exciting update about the COVID-19 vaccine: The vaccine is now available to some people in Group 4. Specifically, those people ages 16-64 years with higher risk medical conditions & additional congregate settings.
This includes people who have asthma (moderate to severe), cancer, stroke, chronic kidney disease, COPD, cystic fibrosis, diabetes type 1 or 2, heart condition (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathy), high blood pressure, immune deficiency (or on long term steroids), intellectual and developmental disabilities (includes Down Syndrome), liver disease, neurologic condition (such as dementia or schizophrenia), pulmonary fibrosis, overweight or obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease (not trait), smoker (current or former, smoked at least 100 cigs total), and those people who are homeless, in homeless shelter or in prison.
For more details, go to https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/media/905/download
Note that the Phizer vaccine can be given down to age 16, but Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines start at age 18 years.

covid19.ncdhhs.gov

Attention to our patients with Medicaid insurance: you will soon be receiving a mailing asking you to sign up for one of the new Medicaid managed care plans. You will have until May 14 to sign up, or else you will randomly be assigned to a plan. TCC does take ALL of the available plans, so you get to stay with us no matter which one you choose!