A letter to the Dubuque Community from local Pediatricians

The pediatricians of Dubuque would like to inform you of a rapidly evolving situation in
the community that affects our children. As you know, over the last 2 months, RSV
(respiratory syncytial virus) has been sweeping through the country, infecting large
numbers of our most vulnerable population such as children under the age of 2. As
most parents can quickly attest, many other infectious diseases are circulating within
families as well. While a majority of children thankfully recover quickly from viral
illnesses, some will become sick enough to require hospitalization. The influenza
virus in particular causes more severe symptoms, and by all accounts, we are in for an
early and severe flu season.

This perfect storm of influenza AND RSV infections in the community has led already
to a large number of children requiring hospitalization and critical care up to and
including the use of ventilators to assist breathing. Currently, Pediatric ICU beds are full
across all Children’s Hospitals in the Midwest. This means that we are caring for a
greater number of very sick children at our local community hospitals, while at the same
time our bed and staff capacity is stretched significantly.

With the help of amazing pediatric nurses, respiratory therapists, emergency

department staff, and countless other healthcare workers still reeling from the COVID-
19 pandemic, we will do our utmost to care for your children. But we could use some
help. Please get your influenza vaccine as quickly as possible and keep your children’s
immunizations up-to-date. Infants 6 months and older should receive flu shots, as young
children in particular are at high risk of severe illness from this virus. If you or your
children are ill, strongly consider isolating until symptoms are improved. Families with
very young infants (less than 3 months) should limit visitors and avoid contact with sick
friends or family. Though we are understandably fatigued from pandemic precautions,
the same interventions can now be useful for easing capacity issues at pediatric
healthcare facilities. If you have questions or reservations regarding immunizations,
including those protecting against influenza and COVID-19, have an open conversation
with your Pediatrician or Family Medicine doctor.

Please do whatever you can to mitigate illnesses and protect our most precious
treasure, our children.

Medical Associates Clinic Pediatricians Grand River Medical Group Pediatricians

Kristen Anderson, DO Ankura P. Kadakia, DO
John M. Callahan, MD David E. Kragenbrink, MD, FAAP
Thomas E. Callahan, DO S. Susan Kunjummen, MD
Kevin Mullen, MD Marissa C. Michel, MD
Douglas G. Olk, MD Molly J. Kunkel, PA-C
Karen Hospodar Scott, MD, PhD Angela M. Rausch, ARNP, C-PNP
Meghan Wendland, MD
Heather-Lynn Menezes, DO
Lisa A. Meyer, ARNP
Sarah D. Thibadeau, ARNP
Kristin Tiernan, ARNP