September 2025
Fall Vaccine Recommendations
Dear Dandelion Health Members:
We, Dr. Dianat and Dr. Joe, have observed the significant benefits of vaccination for childhood and adult diseases throughout our careers. This includes vaccination for seasonal influenza and COVID-19. These vaccines help reduce the severity of illness for all of our patients and also reduce the community spread to our patients and neighbors who are particularly vulnerable to severe illness or death from these viruses. While the average low risk person may have modest benefit from annual vaccines, staying up-to-date is part of our social contract to protect each other and reduce the overall burden of disease.
In our review of the literature and guidance from our professional organizations, we recommend that everyone, except those with rare contraindications, get vaccinated, especially if you or your close contacts are higher risk of a poor outcome. We welcome your questions and inquiries regarding vaccines this season.
We are following the vaccine guidance from our major professional organization, the American Academy of Family Physicians, whose vaccine recommendation is aligned with the American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Obstetrics & Gynecologists.
Covid-19 Vaccine
We recommend that all adults 18 years and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine. It is especially important to get a COVID-19 vaccine if you are:
65 years and older;
At increased risk for severe COVID-19 infection; and
Have never received a COVID-19 vaccine.
Pregnant or planning pregnancy, or are breastfeeding an infant.
We recommend all children ages 6-23 months be vaccinated against COVID-19.
We recommend that children and teens ages 2-17 use a risk-based single dose approach. We support ongoing immunization access for any family wanting to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
How to get the vaccine?
65 years or older, we will automatically send a prescription for you and notify you.
Ages 18-64 and have a condition listed on the CDC list (which is very broad, including depression/anxiety, BMI >30, and "low physical activity") and would like the vaccine, please send us a Spruce message or text and we will send in a prescription for you. You will need a prescription for the vaccine at any major chain pharmacy (see chart below), or you can self-disclose your condition at Walgreens WITHOUT a prescription.
Ages 9-17 and have one of the conditions on the CDC list and would like the vaccine, send us a message and we will send you a prescription.
If you have a child younger than 9 who you would like to get vaccinated, we have not yet found someone to administer this in the Richmond area. If you are interested, then please message us and we will update you when we have more information.
If you are younger than 65 and do not have one of the conditions listed on the CDC site but would like the vaccine, we are happy to send a prescription for you and you will be able to get it (see chart), but your insurance may not cover it.
For those without insurance coverage, the lowest cost is either Costco (if you're a Costco member), at $141.99, or Kroger ($180).
Influenza Vaccine
Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older without medical contraindications. You can get yours now or wait till October to make sure it lasts through February. No prescription needed for this. Those younger than 3 years old can schedule to get it at the Richmond City Health Department or at Bremo Pharmacy https://BremoPharmacy.as.me/Dandelion
