Chester Pediatrics

09/24/2025

By 6 months, many babies are ready to experiment with solid baby foods like pureed veggies and fruits. 🥕 Curious about other exciting baby milestones to look forward to? This month-by-month guide shows you what’s next and reminds you to enjoy every moment!.

Be prepared for your baby’s exciting first year with tips, infant growth charts, and more at: https://bit.ly/4gCoxad

Your baby’s first year is an exciting journey filled with remarkable growth. From developing critical motor skills to those priceless first steps, each month brings new challenges and discoveries.

09/23/2025

With recent changes to vaccine recommendations, we’re here to help you understand what they mean for your family. 👪

The American Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met last week and voted on updates to the national vaccine schedule. Two key areas were reviewed:
• Update on MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella) Vaccine Procedure
• Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Procedure

1️⃣ Update on MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella) Vaccine Procedure
🟠 What stays the same:
• Children should still receive vaccines for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Chickenpox at 12 months and again at 4 years old.
🟠 What’s changing:
• At 12 months, children should receive separate MMR and Varicella (chickenpox) vaccines instead of the combination MMRV vaccine. (Many physicians were already following this procedure)
• The MMRV combination vaccine is now only recommended for children age 4 and up.
🟠 Bottom line:
MMR and Varicella vaccines are safe, effective, and essential for children's health. These vaccines will continue to be widely available and covered by insurance.

2️⃣ Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Procedure
The ACIP updated its recommendation to allow for more individual choice based on medical advice. This guidance is broader than the procedure the FDA issued earlier this summer.
🟠 What stays the same:
• Children ages 6 months to 17 years: COVID-19 vaccination should be based on shared decision-making between families and healthcare providers.
• Adults over 65 and people with high-risk conditions continue to benefit most from getting the vaccine.
• The vaccine is covered by government programs and most private insurance.
🟠 What’s changing:
• Adults ages 18–64 no longer have a general recommendation to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Instead, they should decide based on a conversation with their healthcare provider.
🟠 What Other Leading Organizations Are Saying:
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
• Recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for:
• All infants 6–23 months
• All high-risk children ages 6 months–18 years
• Any child whose parent wants them vaccinated
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):
• Recommends COVID-19 vaccination for:
• Anyone who is pregnant, planning pregnancy, postpartum, or breastfeeding
New York State (NYS):
• Anyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccine can get one
• Pharmacists can give the vaccine without a prescription
🟠 Bottom Line:
• In New York State, anyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccine can receive it.
• The vaccine offers strong protection — especially for:
• Infants under age 2
• Adults over 65
• High-risk individuals (heart disease, diabetes, asthma, weakened immune systems)
• Anyone seeking extra protection is encouraged to get vaccinated.

09/22/2025

As Rosh Hashanah begins, we wish our families and community health, happiness, and peace in the year ahead. 🍎✨ Shanah Tovah!

09/19/2025

Wondering what the latest vaccine updates from Washington mean? Our Allied pediatricians have you covered. 🧡💉
This week, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated guidance for the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) and Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccines:

🟠 What stays the same
• Vaccines for MMR and Chicken Pox are still recommended at 12 months and 4 years.

🟠 What’s changing
• At 12 months, children should now receive separate MMR and Chicken Pox vaccines.
• The combination MMRV vaccine is recommended only for children ages 4 and up.

🟠 Why?
Giving the combined MMRV at the 12-month visit may have a minimal increased risk of febrile seizure. While the risk is very small, the ACIP now recommends the separate MMR and Chicken Pox vaccines to be given at the 12-month visit

🟠 Bottom line: MMR and Varicella vaccines remain safe, effective, and essential for your child’s health, and they continue to be covered by insurance. Have questions? Your Allied pediatrician is here to guide you through every update.

09/16/2025

That’s our cue 😉🩺

Say less…we’ve got you covered! Your child’s health and happiness come first! 🧡✨

09/15/2025

This September, we honor the strength of young patients and their families during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 💛 Together, we stand with them and continue working toward brighter, healthier futures.

09/12/2025

Well checks? ✔️
Fit checks? Always. 🩺✨

Serving stickers, smiles, and serious fits 🧡

09/12/2025

Dear Families and Friends,

With many mixed emotions, I am writing to share that I will be retiring on February 17, 2026 after 40 years in pediatric practice. This has been far more than just a career for me — it has been a calling, a privilege, and one of the greatest joys of my life.

To all the Moms and Dads, thank you for trusting me with your most precious gift — your children. You have allowed me to guide you through illness, worries and sleepless nights, and to share in your triumphs. I’ve witnessed the love and dedication you pour into your children everyday, and I have always admired the strength, patience and resilience you bring to parenting.

To the children who are grown up parents themselves, now bringing their children to Chester Pediatrics — what a wonderful experience it is to see my “grand-patients.” The relationships formed have been so meaningful to me. YOU taught me as much as I have ever taught you.

To my staff over the years — you were the steady hands and hard workers, making each day possible. Working beside you was a gift.

I want to give special and personal thanks to my current colleagues at Chester, Dr. Deborah Schwartz, Dr. Eric Levene and Lena Harrison, NP. I am grateful to them for all the help over the years with the management and decision-making for our patients. As difficult as it is to leave, I am confident in putting you in the hands of my long-standing partners.

And I must acknowledge my former colleague, Dr. David Amler. He hired me, mentored me and became my close friend. Knowing him and working with him changed my life and I am so lucky for that.

As I prepare to retire, I find myself sharing this hope with my adolescent and young adult patients: If you find a career you love, as much as I’ve loved my career, you will find both success and happiness.

With much appreciation and love,

Neil Spielsinger

09/11/2025

On this day, we remember the thousands of lives lost on September 11, 2001. We hold in our hearts the families forever changed, the heroes who ran toward danger, and the resilience of a nation that came together in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

May we never forget their courage, their sacrifice, and the reminder to cherish each day with love, kindness, and unity. ❤️🤍💙

09/09/2025

We'd be lost without them, though 👯‍♀️✨

09/08/2025

A baby’s weight can double within their first 5 months, which changes the amount of medicine they need when they’re sick. 🩺 Are you confident in calculating the right infant Tylenol, Motrin, or Benadryl dosages in times of need?

Read these pediatrician tips on safe dosing for all the most-used infant medicines: https://bit.ly/4gaI7Ky

The first time your baby catches a cold or runs a fever can be a heartbreaking experience for any parent. Your primary concern is ensuring your baby’s safety and well-being.

09/02/2025

New year, new beginnings! Here’s to learning, growing, and making memories, best of luck this school year!📚✏️🍎

08/28/2025

Allied Physicians Group is hiring Full-Time & Part-Time Medical Receptionists in multiple Allied offices! Greet families, manage check-in/out, schedule visits, verify insurance, and keep the day running smoothly. Bilingual candidates are eligible for enhanced compensation, as this skill helps us better serve our diverse community. Interested? Contact our Talent Acquisition Partner, Jessica McQuillan 631-386-4142 ✉️ jmcquillan@alliedphysiciansgroup.com or visit https://bit.ly/AlliedPhysiciansCareers

08/28/2025

Don’t let “winging it” be your birth plan. Your baby’s coming with or without a breastfeeding game plan. Skip the sore ni***es, latch battles, fussy gas parties, low milk freak-outs, and missing the golden hour. 👶🏼⏰

Meet with our breastfeeding pros so you're prepared, not panicked. We’ve got physicians, IBCLCs, CLCs, and even pediatricians who specialize in breastfeeding.

Visit, https://alliedphysiciansgroup.com/service/breastfeeding-support/ to meet your dream team!