COVID-19/Coronavirus

Bivalent vaccine is approved for all doses administered in ages  six months and older.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) new recommendations allow an additional updated (bivalent) vaccine dose for adults ages 65 years and older at least four months after initial dose, and additional doses for people who are immunocompromised.

Pfizer and  Moderna  Monovalent vaccine is no longer authorized for use in the U.S.

Office Move

Effective March 20, the pediatric providers at Poughkeepsie Columbia moved to Poughkeepsie Oakwood at Oakwood Commons 2507 South Road, Floor 4 Poughkeepsie, NY. For appointments, please call 1-845-231-5600.

Women’s Health suite

Now Open: Women’s Health clinical space in Poughkeepsie. Learn more

Polio Update

Unfortunately, polio has returned to New York. Polio is a very contagious disease (viral) which can cause meningitis, paralysis and death.

Polio is preventable by vaccination. It should not have returned to the US. It was brought in by someone who was not vaccinated. There is no treatment for Polio.

Three quarters of people who catch polio don’t get ill but can transmit it. One quarter get a flu-like illness. As many as 1 in 200 people get paralyzed.

In the 1940’s, before vaccine became available, Polio paralyzed 35,000 people per year. When everyone was vaccinated, that number went to zero. Until now.

What can you do to be safe?

All children should get four doses of the polio vaccine. All adults should have received at least three doses of vaccine. The polio vaccine is very safe.

• If you have never been vaccinated, do so now.
• If you have missed doses, get them now.
• If you are not sure if you had all the doses you need, talk to your healthcare provider.
• There is a blood test to see if you have some immunity.
• Adults who are at high risk can get one booster (see below).
• We have polio vaccine available
• Good hygiene is also important. The virus is spread by contact with saliva and feces.

High risk categories:

• Travelers who have recently traveled or are going to areas or countries where polio is epidemic or endemic (see CDC’s website for high risk countries).
• Laboratory and healthcare workers who handle specimens that might contain polioviruses.
• Healthcare workers who are treating patients who could have polio or have close contact with a person who could be infected with poliovirus.
• People who are in contact with or caring for a person who could be infected with polio or has been exposed to polio.
• Unvaccinated adults whose children will be receiving oral poliovirus vaccine (for example, international adoptees or refugees).

Learn more about Polio from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ›

Recording/Photography Not Permitted on Premises

The privacy of our patients and staff is of the utmost importance to us.

To protect and respect patient privacy, audio/video recording and photography is not permitted during medical visits or on our premises. Thank you for your cooperation.