J. Allen Meadows, MD
Welcome to my new web site! We appreciate your consideration of our office to serve your or your child’s medical needs regarding allergy and asthma. We provide evaluation and treatment of hay fever, chronic nasal congestion, hives, eczema, stinging insect allergy, food allergy and drug allergy. We also evaluate and treat asthma and related pulmonary conditions. Our goal is to give you an expert and up-to-date evaluation and to educate you about any problems we may diagnose. Your family physician, internist or pediatrician should manage other medical problems. We strongly encourage that your primary care doctor remain involved in all aspects of your medical care, including your allergic problems, and we forward a copy of your evaluation to your primary physician.
WELCOME MESSAGE
Announcements
WEB SITE CHANGES
We have restored most of the interactive features we have all grown accustomed to using; I apologize for the inconvenience. Unfortunately, the transition from the old web site did not proceed as I had envisioned it would. Interactive features such as Online Consultation (now called "ask a question"), appointment requests, and prescription renewal, and email newsletters should now be available. Some of the material on the web site is out of date, or now irrelevant, some are now missing; I am working to modify and restore that information.
Please "create an account" this new web site yet so we may safely communicate online. Users of our old web site should get an email with a link to expedite registration.
SHOT NOTICE
Late Shot Notice:
Now Open November 5 before 11:30 AM
We will be closed for allergy shots on:
November 6, 9, 10, 18, 19, 26, 27
November 5 after 11:30 AM
Not certain about November 25 yet
December 2, 10, 11, 18, 24, 25
Dec 31 after 12:15pm
H1N1 Flu shots are now available. Please note we are closed several days this month (list on the web site). We will only give flu shots according to the ADPH guidelines, listed below.
Answers to common questions about the Pandemic H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) immunization
Who can get an H1N1 immunization in Dr. Meadows’ office when it becomes available?
Due to limited supplies, only people who are active patients in the practice will be immunized in the "first wave" (likely until December). We will be strictly following guidelines of the ADPH, immunizing only:
- Pregnant patients
- Children age 6 months to 4 years
- Health Care workers
- Children age 4-18 years "at risk" with chronic illnesses like asthma
- Household members and caregivers of infants less than 6 months of age
We know this excludes most of our adult patients with asthma. We hope to have plenty of H1N1 immunizations for anyone who wants one in January.
Is the H1N1 immunization safe?
This immunization came to market under the same FDA approval process that every other influenza immunization follows. It was not "rushed" to market & would have been included with the seasonal flu shot had doctors discovered it even two months sooner. It was made in the same facilities as every other flu shot.
I've already had "swine flu". Should I get an H1N1 immunization?
We will not know the correct answer to this question until after this season is over. Some experts are concerned that immunity may lessen in 6 months. Since the deadliest part of past pandemic flu is February and March, I advise individuals diagnosed with the flu in the spring, summer or early fall of ‘09 to get an H1N1 immunization when they become plentiful. I estimate they will become plentiful in mid January or early February.
What will the H1N1 immunization cost in Dr. Meadows office?
We plan to charge a $10 administrative fee for patients getting the H1N1 immunization on a drop-in, cash-and-carry basis and $20 for those we file an insurance claim. If the $10 fee is a hardship on any of our patients, we will waive the fee if patients give us a brief written explanation of why it is hardship to pay the $10 fee. The County Health Departments have free H1N1 immunizations.
Can I get an H1N1 immunization on the same day as a seasonal flu immunization?
There is no reason not to get both shots on the same day (other than having two sore arms). The FluMist immunization to seasonal flu and the H1N1 immunization must be separated by 30 days.
Should I take the FluMist H1N1 immunization?
FluMist is approved for people age 2-49 and is available as a seasonal flu immunization and a H1N1 immunization. It is not approved for use in people with asthma. In the original research studies, children younger than 5 were more likely to have an asthma flare several months later compared to people who did not get the flu shot. People with asthma in the studies who were over 5 years old were not more likely to have an asthma flare. Because of these FDA restrictions, we have decided not to order FluMist.
What about the mercury in flu shots?
Thimerosal is a mercury containing preservative in some immunizations, including the H1N1 immunization. It is not the same type of mercury that has been associated with health problems. Methyl-mercury has long been associated with health problems. There has been no evidence to suggest ethyl mercury, the type found in immunizations, causes health problems. The small amounts of mercury found in immunizations are quickly eliminated from the body. It is as different as ethanol (wine) is from methanol (rubbing alcohol).
An analysis done by the Canadian government of ALL children receiving immunizations in one province showed that children who received immunizations with Thimerosal were no more likely to get any illness, including Autism, compared to those who received shots with no Thimerosal. Anyone who honestly looks at this data will conclude this conclusively proves mercury in immunizations does not cause health problems.
Can I get an H1N1 immunization if I am allergic to eggs?
Just like the seasonal flu shot, the H1N1 immunization is made in eggs. The amount of eggs in the flu shot is VERY SMALL, less than in a bite of a cookie. If you can eat a cookie, you are at no increased risk to take a flu shot. If your egg allergy is so severe you can’t eat foods cooked with eggs, make an appointment (not a phone call) to discuss your concerns with Dr. Meadows.
Do children less than 9 years need two H1N1 immunizations?
There are conflicting reports about the need for a second immunization in children less than 9. We will rely on advice from the Alabama Department of Public Health. We KNOW that children under 9 need at least one shot; children should receive the first shot as soon as possible.
FLU SHOTS
SEASONAL FLU SHOTS ARE HERE
We will start giving seasonal flu shots on Thursday October 15 to ANYONE who desires to be immunized. We will even give shots to your family members who are not patients (people with Medicare must be an existing patient and make an appointment to get a flu shot). We will be giving flu shots during regular allergy shot hours (posted on this web site). Please note we will be closed several days this fall. We are offering flu shots for the discounted price of $30.00. Those who want us to file their insurance must make an appointment as outlined below. We encourage patients who want a flu shot appointment, especially those the Medicare, to call NOW to schedule a flu shot appointment. HMO's that cover flu shots generally cover them only at the primary doctor. Longer lines usually occur in the afternoon.
We also hope to begin giving the H1N1 (swine flu) shot soon. Although most of the flu circulating Alabama is H1N1, seasonal flu has also been reported. We recommend both flu shots for all people with chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma and emphysema, all health care workers, and all pregnant women and all people over 65. Dr. Meadows and the staff took seasonal flu shots on September 16 & 17. We hope to have the H1N1 (swine flu) shot in October as well. Dr. Meadows personally plans to get the H1N1 immunization as soon it arrives.
If you are an existing patient and you want us to file your insurance (many plans covered the flu shot in 2008) you will need to make a "flu shot appointment" to get the shot. You will have a short office visit and pay your normal copay as well as getting the shot. (If it is subsequently not covered you will also be responsible for the regular cost of the flu shot plus an administration fee of $10.00-so check with your insurance carrier first).
If you are an existing patient and do not want us to file your insurance you should "drop-in" during our regular shot hours without an appointment and pay for the shot at that time. After the fact we will not be able to go back and file insurance for the flu shot.
If you are not an existing patient we can offer you the flu shot on a cash basis. This means you can pay for the shot and come in during regular shot hours to receive your vaccination. We will not be able to file any insurance for those who are not existing patients. Unfortunately, Medicare regulations do not allow us to accept payment for a covered benefit outside of your insurance, thus Medicare beneficiaries are not able to take advantage of this offer. We suggest Medicare beneficiaries get the shot at your primary doctor's office or at a local pharmacy or grocery store.
If you are here for a regular appointment and want to get the flu shot at your visit, you will pay your regular copay. You can choose to have us file your insurance for the flu shot or you can pay for it at the time of service. If you ask us to file your insurance and it subsequently is not covered you will be billed for the regular cost of the shot plus an administration fee of $10.00, totaling $40.00. If you pay for it at the time of your visit, a total of $30.00, we cannot go back and then file it for you or give you documentation to file it yourself, so be sure of your choice before it is made.
Patients are welcome to get their flu shots from any location that is offering them. We provide this service as a convenience and for the health of our patients, but we do not offer the cheapest flu shots in town.| WHAT IS OUR SPECIALTY? |
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| I am an allergy & asthma doctor in Montgomery, Alabama. As a board certified allergist, I see adult and pediatric patients for evaluation and treatment of cough, hay fever, sinus problems, hives, eczema, allergic insect and drug reactions, emphasizing prevention. I will discuss your treatment in detail and questions are encouraged. We believe that all people with asthma & allergies should be able to live completely normal lives. |
