synagis

LaciJaxx

My preemie was born on June 28 at 31 weeks. He was 3.5 lbs. We've been told we need to make sure to get him the Synagis shots this flu season. What are your experiences with the shot? Good, bad or otherwise. As of right now we are still waiting on the insurance company (Tricare) to say if they are going to pay for it. I have no experience whatsoever with any of this. I'm a FTM. On top of it, we are stationed in Mississippi right now but are PCS'ing in January to Kansas. I'm thinking it's possible the flu seasons will vary with region so that should be interesting.

Brummy14

We got the shots last year once the girls were discharged (we ended up with them Jan - March -- Humana didn't cover any April shots last year in Ohio). The girls seemed totally fine with the shots (beyond the actual administration of them! ) -- no fever, fussiness or anything like they can get with other vaccinations.

You can check what the season tends to look like by state here: https://www.cdc.gov/surveillance/nrevss/rsv/state.html

Mrs. Alice

My twins received them for the first season.  We just took them in to the pedi once a month for the shot.  It was actually helpful to have an appointment and weight check every month when they were little.  They never had an adverse reaction to it and have never had RSV. 

LaciJaxx

Thanks for the info and the links! Awesome! We plan to get the shots since all our doctors have recommended it but it's a bit scary when you read the information on the website. I know pretty much all meds have side effects but it's a much harder decision when it's your baby we're talking about. So glad to hear none of you experienced any.

pinotgirl

DS was born at 32 weeks and he got RSV last year from a kid at daycare. We were able to get him the shot when I switched insurances in January... no problems at all!

We've already filled out the paperwork for this year's and hope that insurance covers it because it's crazy expensive!

DrRx

My 26-weeker had 5 shots last season every 28 days and never had a reaction or problem to them.  She also never had RSV. Good luck!

efortune

My 28 weeker got one shot from the NICU before discharge, GA 36 weeks. That was in April, so she didnt need any more. The shots were covered the following year, but we opted out of them. She was growing exceptionally well, healthy, and breastfed so I didn't see the need for the monthly shots and pain at that point in time. It paid off since she never got sick, but my opinion would have been different if she had been in daycare or her sisters in school.

LaciJaxx

Thanks again ladies. We're still waiting on authorization from the insurance company. I think they said we're supposed to get his first shot next month so I sure hope they make a decision very soon. I really cannot see them declining it, but who knows. Keeping our fingers crossed.

LaciJaxx

So I contacted my Dr office and they tell me that the insurance company has not replied back about my LO's approval for the shot as of yet. OMG!!!!! I'm going to lose it if they don't approve it. They said they are going to contact them again. I'm also going to try and contact them. Any advice from those who have been through this before would be greatly appreciated! TIA!!

staceymack

No prior experience, but I share your fear and worry. I am currently waiting for our doctors office to complete the paperwork also. The doctor says they qualify, but you never know what insurance company will say or do.

andthatmakes4

My LO received his first shot in the NICU prior to discharge. The doctors office is supposedly handling the rest for us. Should I be doing something to make sure it will be covered?

LaciJaxx

I don't know ... I'm freaking out. Our neonatologist and ped both told us we need to make sure to get him the shot. But it seems nobody is as concerned about it as I am. (I guess that's my job) I'm going to call my ped office and Tricare next week. I'll keep you posted as to how it goes. I really don't know what, if anything, I can do. I thought the Dr office would take care of it. But they told me they were going to request approval from the insurance company at his 2 month appt. Now I'm not sure if they haven't done it or if the insurance company hasn't replied. Either way, I'm not happy about it.

Cyn23

My 31 week dd got them for 7 months and remained RSV free that entire time.

heaven22tw

It takes a long time for approval. Its a 1500 dollar shot. We were only covered if a nurse through our insurance came and administered it.

staceymack

Stay on them. Insurance companies take their sweet time.

LaciJaxx

Yay! I just got word from the Dr office that he's been approved. Whew, what a relief. I almost started crying!!! She's supposed to call me back to schedule the shots once she gets the paperwork from the insurance company. Thanks for the guidance ladies!

LaciJaxx

So we had our first shot yesterday. Yay! 

But today they called to schedule his next shot and told me they couldn't get me in until Nov 20 due to that being the next "clinic" and time when a nurse is available to administer. That's 38 days! I am shocked and disappointed. I told them I don't understand since the Synagis website clearly says they are supposed to get the shot every 28-30 days during RSV season to be protected for one month. On top of that, I explained to them that we have to move in January (military) and it just so happens to work out that if we get his shot every 28 days, we can get his Jan shot right before we leave here. (like the day of) Otherwise it's going to be extremely late or we'll miss it all together right at a time when he needs it most. It's not like we can just arrive at our new location and go get him a shot. It just doesn't work that way. So they moved our 4 month checkup to Nov 12 (from Oct 29) to give him Synagis that day. But then she tells me they CAN'T guarantee that I can get in on time in Dec & Jan. Oh my gosh - I am so stressed! Just when I thought everything worked itself out, this happens.

Has anyone else experienced this? Do you get the shots every 28-30 days?

andthatmakes4

We're having to go through a pulmnologist for the shots. They called yesterday to say insurance approved it but they hadn't received the meds yet. They said that the provider would be calling me and then I would call them back to schedule. I haven't heard anything and he had his last shot on Sept 22nd so it's due now. Anyone else experience something like this?

LaciJaxx

I would def call them back @lmlorenz12. Unfortunately its become obvious to me that not everyone has our babies best interest in mind. I'm not exactly sure what to do yet but I won't allow my little angel to be put at risk. I'll figure something out. They don't want to get on mommys bad side. I still can't believe they wanted to go 38 days. That really irks me the more I think about it. I'm thinking about calling the neonatologists office and see what they say. I'll keep you posted and please do the same.