How to Schedule a COVID or Flu Vaccine: Call the Rockville office at 301-762-5020 or Olney office at 301-933-5050 to schedule. Or, you may receive during any in-office appointment. Additionally, you may receive at your local pharmacy. 

**You may receive the COVID and Flu vaccine together, but it is recommended to separate the RSV vaccine by 1-2 weeks.**

**********************************************************************************************************

COVID-Vaccine Information:

**CDC is recommending an additional Spring 2024 COVID booster at least 4 months from the last booster for 65 years and older.**

Updated COVID-19 vaccines to target current circulating variants and provide better protection against COVID-19, were recently approved by the FDA. The newest COVID-19 vaccines include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the Omicron variant XBB.1.5. If you’ve had a recent COVID infection, the CDC states you may wait at least 3 months to receive a COVID booster. All ages are eligible for an updated COVID-19 vaccine, but it is especially important for those over 65 or immunocompromised. 

*************************************************************************************************************

Flu Vaccine Information: 

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get the flu vaccine each year. In addition, you can practice healthy habits by avoiding close contact with people who are sick, staying at home when you are sick, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and washing your hands often. We are offering the Fluzone High Dose Quadrivalent vaccine for 65 and older and the Fluzone Quadrivalent vaccine for under 65. All of our flu vaccines are preservative free and safe for those with an egg allergy. 

***********************************************************************************************************

RSV Vaccine Information:

Arexvy and Abrysvo were recently approved by the FDA to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in adults ages 60 and older as a single dose. RSV is a common respiratory virus that can lead to severe illness, particularly in infants and older adults. This is an important vaccine as we approach the fall and winter seasons, especially for older adults with heart or lung disease or weakened immune systems. If eligible, please go to your local pharmacy for vaccination. 

*************************************************************************************************************

COVID-19 Testing & Treatment

If you are currently ill with COVID, have COVID symptoms please schedule a virtual visit ASAP or do a virtual visit on demand. We have same day COVID PCR testing available for our patients *by appointment only.* If you need a COVID test and are not currently symptomatic, please call the office and we can help you schedule.

Please see this recently updated link from the CDC on isolation with illnesses including COVID, FLU, RSV and other upper respiratory infections. 

There are treatments authorized for COVID-19 for individuals who are at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 as defined by the CDC. An appointment is required for a prescription and our providers are following the CDC guidelines for identifying high risk patients who may benefit from treatment.

The post COVID, FLU, RSV Vaccines & COVID Testing and Treatment appeared first on Rockville Internal Medicine Group.

• Office hours: M-F 8:00am-4:00pm
• Lab hours: M-F 7:50am-3:50pm (appointments required)
• To book online, click here, or call: Rockville Office: 301-762-5020, press 2, or Olney Office: 301-933-5050, press 0

In-Person Appointments: 

Masks are required for patients who are experiencing any COVID/upper respiratory symptoms.  Otherwise, masks are optional.  Masking may be requested by patients or staff at their discretion.

If you are COVID positive and seeking antiviral treatment, please schedule a virtual visit  to discuss treatment options.

In Person Acute Care Clinic:

RIMG’s Rockville location (Suite 111) provides an in-person and virtual acute care clinic for our established primary care patients to address your same day urgent needs.  Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 8-11:30am and 1-3:30pm.

The following acute issues can be addressed by our in-person and virtual acute care clinic: 

• Rash/Skin infection
• Ear pain
• Urinary issue
• GYN issue
• Acute pain such as back or neck pain lasting less than 4 weeks 
• Eye infection 
• Minor injuries
• Upper Respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, etc.

Virtual Visits: 

Virtual visits are appropriate for a variety of care needs, including urgent or acute issues, routine follow-up visits, chronic care disease management, medication management, reviewing test or lab results, and lifestyle coaching. Virtual visits are also appropriate for Medicare Annual Wellness Visits and Routine Physical Examinations (covered by Medicare, United and CareFirst plans. Cigna and  Aetna require an in person physical exam). During your virtual physical we review lab results, ensure you are up to date on screening procedures, review family history, discuss healthy lifestyle and any symptoms or concerns you may be having. If an in-person evaluation is deemed necessary after a virtual physical, we will assist you in scheduling an in-office appointment.

For a virtual visit, you will need to download the myPrivia App on your mobile device OR if using a desktop, you will need Google Chrome, speakers, a camera, a microphone, and a strong connection speed.

1. Once you call our office to schedule a virtual visit, you will receive an email with a link to “Start my Virtual Visit”
2. If applicable, you will add your insurance information and submit payment
3. Once the provider joins the virtual waiting room, click the blue button “Join Virtual Visit”
4. For a Virtual Visit tutorial click here.

The post In-Office Operations appeared first on Rockville Internal Medicine Group.

When clients reach their goal weight, our coaches guide them through a specific transition period into a dedicated maintenance phase. This helps clients maintain their healthy weight.

The post We are now introducing the Healthy Weigh Now Loss Clinic appeared first on Rockville Internal Medicine Group.

The recent ruling from the United States Supreme Court in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization takes the decision of abortion out of the exclusive hands of the doctor-patient relationship. 

We stand with the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, and a myriad of other health associations to express our dismay with this decision and offer our support to the millions of American women affected. 

As medical providers, we know that maternal and fetal outcomes, as well as child wellbeing, are directly linked to access to safe and comprehensive reproductive care. We are fortunate to practice in a state where access to safe, elective abortion will likely remain available for all women who wish to make that choice. However, we know the only way to reinstate access for all is for those of us with voices, especially those of us in the medical field, to remain active and engaged in this discussion. 

We wish for all our patients, and all women, to continue to have autonomy and privacy in their medical decisions. 

– The Partners of Rockville Internal Medicine Group

The post Practice Statement on the Overturning of Roe v Wade appeared first on Rockville Internal Medicine Group.