Address: 15235 Shady Grove Road, Suite 105, Rockville, Maryland 20850

2026 – 2027 Flu and COVID vaccine availability and guidance from Dr. Hirsch and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
(updated 09/02/26)

What flu vaccines will Hirsch Pediatrics offer?
– Flu vaccine
injection (trivalent preservative free) from Sanofi
– Flumist nasal spray vaccine from Astra-Zeneca

Who should receive the flu vaccine at Hirsch Pediatrics?
All children over 6 months and adults can receive the flu vaccine at Hirsch Pediatrics. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Hirsch Pediatrics believe that eligible children and adult should receive the flu vaccine.
Parents of current patients can also receive the flu vaccine at Hirsch Pediatrics as an in-network benefit (usually covered at 100% by your insurance).
– Note: Children ages 6 months through 8 years who have never received the flu vaccine before will need 2 doses separated by 1 month. Children who are at least 9 years old will only need 1 dose regardless of previous vaccination history.

Questions about why you should get the flu vaccine as well as typical side effects and risks? Click here for the CDC Flu Vaccine Information Statement.

What COVID vaccine will Hirsch Pediatrics offer?
Moderna vaccine for adults and children 6 months and older

Who should receive the 2026 – 2027 annual COVID vaccine at Hirsch Pediatrics?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the COVID vaccine for all young children age 6 months through 23 months. (Children younger than 2 years old are at highest risk for severe COVID-19.) Beyond that age, the AAP recommends the vaccine for children and teens with risk factors for COVID (including wheezing, obesity, mental health conditions).

Per AAP September 2026 recommendations, “The COVID vaccine also should be available for children ages 2-18 who do not fall into these risk groups, but whose parent wants them to have COVID vaccine protection. Getting the COVID vaccine is the safest and most dependable way to help protect against severe COVID-19 and its complications.”

Recent very large pediatric studies have demonstrated the significant benefit and safety of the COVID vaccine to reduce the risk of the infection causing serious complications (blood clots, serious heart disease) and allergic complications.

Hirsch Pediatrics agrees with the AAP COVID vaccine guidance. We believe that insurances will cover in-network the COVID vaccine but encourages families to check with their insurance ahead of time if you are unsure of coverage.

Additional instructions for COVID vaccine:

Special dosing schedule for the Moderna COVID vaccine for children age 6 – 23 months: Children age 6 – 23 months who never received a COVID vaccine before need 2 doses their first year separated by 4-8 weeks (**longer interval at 6-8 weeks is preferred to increase effectiveness and decrease side effects**).

For anybody who recently tested positive for COVID-19 we recommend waiting up to 90 days after the positive test to receive the COVID vaccine.

Questions about why you should get the COVID vaccine as well as typical side effects and risks? Click here for the CDC COVID Vaccine Information Statement.

Walk-in Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinics. 

Hirsch Pediatrics Flu and COVID vaccines will be available at our many walk-up vaccine clinics for both eligible PATIENTS (age 6 months and older) AND PARENTS! 

To ensure our families have easy and convenient access to the flu vaccine we will have multiple walk-up clinics with morning, afternoon, weekday, and weekend times, as well as clinics on several MCPS no school days!  

No appointment is needed.

Eligible parents, patients, and siblings may also receive the flu vaccine and COVID vaccine at their previously scheduled check-ups.  Please send us a portal message if you are unable to make any of the upcoming vaccine clinics and do not have a check-up scheduled in the near future.

You can receive the flu vaccine and COVID vaccine at the same visit.

Calendar

2026 Clinic Dates – Patients and Parents 

SEPTEMBER WALK-IN VACCINE CLINICS (PATIENTS AND PARENTS)
* Monday, September 21st from 9 – 12 PM and 2– 5 PM ** NOTE: MCPS NO SCHOOL DAY
* Saturday, September 26th from  8 – 12 PM
* Wednesday, September 30th from 9 – 12 PM and 2 – 5 PM

OCTOBER WALK-IN VACCINE CLINICS (PATIENTS AND PARENTS)
* Monday, October 5th from 9 – 12 PM and 2 – 5 PM
* Tuesday, October 6th from 9– 12 PM and 2 – 5 PM
* Wednesday, October 14th from 9 – 12 PM and 2 – 5 PM
* Friday, October 16th  from 9 – 12 PM and 2 – 4 PM ** NOTE: MCPS NO SCHOOL DAY
* Saturday, October 17th from 8 – 12 PM
* Wednesday, October 21st from 2 – 5 PM

NOVEMBER WALK-IN VACCINE CLINICS (PATIENTS AND PARENTS)
* Tuesday, November 3rd from 9 – 12 PM and 2 – 5 PM ** NOTE: MCPS NO SCHOOL DAY
* Wednesday, November 11th from 9 – 12 PM and 2 – 5 PM
* Wednesday, November 18th from 9 – 12 PM and 2 – 5 PM

If your family (patients and parents) still need a flu and COVID vaccine after our last November clinic please send our office a portal message to schedule a nurse visit appointment.