We are a supportive hand to hold.
Coronavirus Updates
Updated 18 May 2022-
Infant formula shortage questions- see AAP Healthy Kids site for updated information- Information from NC Dept of Health and Human Services.
Can't find formula for your baby younger than 6mo? Please call or portal message us!
COVID- Rates of COVID disease are lower now, but COVID is starting to increase in NC with the Omicron variants that are even more contagious than original Omicron. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are still very protective against hospitalization and death, so please get vaccinated and boosted ASAP as recommended below! We continue to strongly encourage mask wearing while indoors to help fight back against this awful disease.
The Pfizer COVID vaccine is authorized for children 5 years old and older. AAP, AMA, AAFP & ANA leaders ALL strongly recommend COVID vaccine for children 5 and older- VideoÂ
Check to see if you are up to date on COVID vaccine using this handy CDC Site
Children 5 years old until the day they turn 18 years old should receive the Pfizer vaccine, 2 doses 3-8 weeks apart. Adults 18 years and older can receive any of the authorized COVID vaccines (Pfizer & Moderna are now preferred over J&J). FDA & CDC committees are meeting in early June to review data on vaccines for 6mo-4yo- hopefully we will have authorization by mid June if the experts approve it as safe and effective.
If you have questions about the vaccine, please call for an appointment so we can answer your questions!
Call or send us a portal message for COVID vaccine appointments
You can fill out forms for COVID vaccine appointments at Sandhills Peds to save time: English Spanish
Vaccine is widely available in the community at pharmacies and the health depts- Moore Co Health Dept will have clinics in Carthage: Call 910-947-SHOT (7468) to set up an appointment at the Moore Co Health Dept.
Everyone 12 yo+ should receive booster doses if 2 months since J&J OR 5 months since the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna (ie you don't have to have a high risk condition/job to qualify for a booster). FDA authorized boosters for 5-11 yo on 17 May, but we are required to wait for expert review by ACIP and CDC Director Dr Walensky.
Boosters are especially important for people who received the J&J/Jannsen "one dose" COVID vaccine (only approved for 18yo+) because J&J does not protect as well against Omicron.
Immunocompromised patients (eg kidney transplant, leukemia) should get a third primary dose 28 days after their second dose.
Sandhills Pediatrics is vaccinating patients 5 yo + and any family members. Please call for an appointment or ask us about it next time you are in the office.
Breastfeeding- is a reason to get the COVID vaccination (protects mom and maybe even baby) and we encourage all of our nursing mothers to receive it.
Pregnancy- CDC issued an urgent appeal for all pregnant people to get vaccinated 29 Sep 2021. The American College of OBGYN now strongly recommends vaccination for pregnant individuals - see here. For more answers about breastfeeding and other COVID vaccine questions, click here to access the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia vaccine education center.
COVID Vaccine Incentives- Some insurers are paying patients to get vaccinated- preventing a single hospitalization from COVID pays for lots of patients to get gift cards!
- Wellcare- apply for $50 Walmart card
- Carolina Complete Health- $75 incentive paid to MyHealthPays card automatically when doctor or pharmacy files claim- details here
- Other Medicaid Plans
Sandhills Pediatrics was honored to participate in a NC Dept of Health and Human Services Public Service Announcement promoting COVID vaccine.   PSA1- 30 seconds   PSA2- 60 seconds
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Looking for information on Coronavirus COVID-19? New information is available daily, so we'd like to point you to the continuously updated CDC website for the most reliable information. We recommend you follow the sensible precautions from the American Academy of Pediatrics provided here. To help us keep your child and other patients healthy, if you suspect your child has a Coronavirus COVID-19 infection, please do not come to walk-in clinic! Call us and let us know about possible exposures so we can discuss the best plan to provide safe and high quality care.
COVID-19 resources specifically for kids
We have three COVID-19 resources specifically for kids to share. Susie Boals, who some of you know as an Episcopal Day School librarian, sent us this resource Coronavirus: A Book for Children. It’s about COVID-19 and the changes and responsibilities it brings to our families. It’s recommended by school librarians and we like it too. It’s available as a free download from Amazon. Dr. Lindsay Johannes-Monroe, our psychologist, recommends this COVID-19 Time Capsule coloring and work book and Trinka and Sam Fighting the Big Virus from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, and let us know what you think!
Telehealth
Sandhills Pediatrics offers virtual care! Click here and one of your regular, trusted Sandhills Pediatrics doctors or nurse practitioners will be able to have a secure video conference with you and your child! Please pick "virtual clinic" if you don't have an appointment - pick your clinician's name if you do have an appointment. (Please remember to enter your child's name at the check-in screen.)
Open to established patients only Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm. Best problems for Telehealth are rashes, allergies, pinkeye, ADHD - things we can see through the camera! It doesn't work well for ear infections or "is this strep throat?".
We are testing this out, so please bear with us - Telehealth platforms are having increased demand due to COVID19 - If you can't reach us or wait longer than 20 minutes, please call us!
Welcome
At Sandhills Pediatrics, we believe what matters most is that our children grow up happy, healthy, and with the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
This is why we are here. To support healthy, happy families living in a healthy, happy community.
Our Mission
We are a family of caregivers improving the health and happiness
of all children and families across our Sandhills community,
providing high quality care in a friendly and welcoming environment.
Our Four Guiding Principles
We seek to achieve this mission by following four guiding principles:
- We turn medical care into medical caring.
- We are a supportive hand to hold.
- We find harmony between quality care and convenience.
- We serve the whole community as an extension of our family.
We are a Vaccinating Practice
Sandhills Pediatrics is a vaccinating practice – for the health and safety of our patients and our community. Vaccines prevent serious illnesses and save lives.
Children and young adults should receive all recommended vaccines according to the schedule published by the Centers of Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics.