ALERT:
Starting Feb. 29, masking is optional but encouraged in UPMC medical facilities and most patient care settings.
UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics is an affiliate of UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
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We offer care in 17 counties across Pennsylvania. Exceptional pediatric care is always close-to-home.
UPMC Children’s Express Care provides walk-in, after-hours care by board-certified pediatricians on evening and weekends.
Review FAQs and articles on common illnesses and medical conditions.
Some things are difficult to talk about. We are here to help.
Read helpful advice on managing your child’s social and emotional side.
Learn more about how you can protect your child from the flu this season.
After a diagnosis of Bell’s palsy, Sophie found the courage to compete at a gymnastics event with the help of her care provider.
Dr. Friedlander did not discredit our concerns and we are incredibly thankful to have a pediatrician who listens.
New to having a child with disabilities, Lori became educated and confident in caring for her daughter by listening to Dr. Gotkiewicz’s explanations and expertise.
UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics is asking our patients and their families to share their best stories of care with us.
UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for ambulatory health care and primary care medical home.
UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics is part of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, ranked 8th in the nation overall by U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Honor Roll for Best Children’s Hospitals.
COVID-19 vaccination remains an important way to protect your child and the community against currently circulating variants. COVID-19 vaccines help lower the risk of serious complications, including hospitalization and death.
UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics recommends the 2023-2024 seasonal vaccination for everyone, aged 6 months and older. This recommendation is in line with the most recent federal guidance from the FDA and CDC. Getting vaccinated and staying up to date on vaccinations is recommended to prepare your immune system. It is especially important as we begin respiratory virus season.
Please review our Frequently Asked Questions below or contact your pediatrician for more information.
To schedule an appointment, please call your UPMC CCP office during normal business hours.
The FDA has reviewed the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine through initial large studies and monitoring of millions of people who have received the vaccine all over the world. These vaccines are continuously undergoing additional studies to confirm the vaccine’s safety.
According to data reported and reviewed by the FDA and CDC, the vaccine is effective in preventing COVID-19. If your child does get infected after being vaccinated, the mRNA vaccines are highly effective in preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19. The effectiveness of the vaccine will continue to be monitored.
The most common side effects of the vaccines include pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, chills, fatigue, and headache. These are common for many vaccines because a vaccine triggers an immune response. The side effects should go away within a few days. An ice pack can be used on the injection site for comfort. If your child develops a fever, headache, or other symptoms, please contact your pediatrician to talk about ways to help, like acetaminophen (Tylenol®), or any other concerns you may have.
No. The COVID-19 vaccine does not include the live virus that causes COVID-19.
No. Since the COVID-19 vaccine does not include the live virus that causes COVID-19, your child cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine.
True allergic reactions to mRNA vaccines have been rare. The FDA and CDC are monitoring vaccine reactions closely. If your child has a history of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine, or any other vaccine or vaccine component, consult your pediatrician or allergist before your child receives the COVID-19 vaccine.
No. There is no evidence that the vaccine has any effects on fertility.
Myocarditis is an inflammation, or irritation, of the muscle of the heart. Pericarditis is an irritation of the thin sack that surrounds the heart. In both myocarditis and pericarditis, inflammation starts due to a trigger, typically an infection or other immune system trigger. The most common symptoms are chest pain, shortness of breath, a sensation of irregular heartbeats (palpitations).
Myocarditis has also been reported after COVID-19 vaccination. It is a rare complication of vaccination and typically is much milder than post-COVID infection myocarditis. The risk of myocarditis reported in the literature is much higher after COVID infection than with the vaccine. In our experience here in Pittsburgh, there are nearly 10 times as many children and teens who developed MIS-C (a post COVID infection inflammatory illness that includes myocarditis) than have had vaccine associated myocarditis. Those with post-vaccine myocarditis were quickly discharged (mostly after 1 day) and fully recovered promptly.
Multiple sources of data in this country and abroad show that the benefits of vaccination against COVID-19 far outweigh the risk of vaccine associated issues. We have a robust surveillance system to quickly identify any issues and we will keep updating recommendations as new data becomes available. Your pediatrician will be happy to discuss any questions you may have about benefits and risks.
COVID-19 is a complex and unpredictable illness. Symptoms can be mild or severe and life-threatening. There have been lingering effects in people of all ages.
No. Since the COVID-19 vaccine does not include the live virus that causes COVID-19, your child cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine or give it to anyone that they come in contact with.
Yes. COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines can be given without regard to timing. This includes same day administration of a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines. Also, be sure that all your child’s vaccines are up-to-date, including Flu vaccine, to best protect against all vaccine preventable illnesses.
If your child was exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, it’s important to take steps to reduce the spread of the disease regardless of your vaccination status. Learn more about what to do if your child was exposed to COVID-19.
The FDA has reviewed the safety and efficacy of the vaccine demonstrated by initial rigorous large studies and monitoring of millions of people who have received the vaccine all over the world.
In general, people are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
With our Patient Portals, you can easily manage your child’s health online with 24/7 access to their medical record.
Learn more about UPMC Patient Portals.
By visiting UPMC Children’s Express Care, our after-hours clinic, your child will receive the same specialized pediatric care you’ve come to expect from your UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics pediatrician. Open conveniently on evenings and weekends, your child can receive care for minor injuries and illnesses when your pediatrician’s office is closed for the day.
Learn more about our services or find a location near you.
In the case of a serious emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Paying your bill has never been easier. UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics offers you an easy and secure method for paying bills online for well and sick appointments as well as behavioral health visits.
Pay Your Bill Online
For questions regarding your billing statement, please call the UPMC CCP Billing Office at 1-888-857-7646 or email CCPBilling@chp.edu.
Are you passionate about caring for children? UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics offers the opportunity for you to apply your unique skills in pediatric medicine and to make an impact on children’s lives.
We are seeking candidates for full-time, part-time, casual, and temporary positions at our locations throughout 12 counties in western Pennsylvania.
To apply, visit the UPMC Careers website.
UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics Stonewood Commons II 103 Bradford Road, Suite 200 Wexford, PA 15090
For administrative inquiries, please call 724-933-1100 or 1-888-857-7646.
Should a concern about your experience at UPMC CCP arise, please discuss it with your child’s pediatrician. If the concern remains unresolved, please email your concern to our patient relations specialist at ccpconfidential@chp.edu. We will investigate your concern and provide you with a response. Contacting our patient relations specialist will not negatively affect your care.