Skip the Phone Call, Book Your Child's Flu Shot Online!

You may have noticed something familiar: P.A.N. stands for Patient Access Now, inspired by our name, Pediatric Associates at Northwoods. Same initials, same commitment to your family.
 
We're proud to be part of Affiliated Pediatric Practices' Year of Innovation drive, and we created Patient Access Now  as one more way to bring your family better care and a better experience!

Getting Started Takes Two Quick Steps

 Step 1: Set up Patient Gateway (one time only — about 2 minutes)

1. Download the app. Get Patient Gateway from the App Store or Google Play onto your phone or tablet.
2. Ask our front desk for your link. Call or stop by and we'll text or email you a sign-up link. Heads up: The link expires quickly, so please make sure you have a few minutes to complete the next step when you request it.
3. Create your password. Check you email, then tap the link, follow the prompts, and you're in.

Step 2: Book the flu shot on the Patient Gateway App(about 30 seconds)

1. Tap Visits (the calendar icon).
2. Tap Schedule an Appointment (the big blue bar).
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page  Schedule an appointment for a specific reason and choose Flu Shot.
4. Pick your location: Pediatric Associates at Northwoods.
5. Choose a date and time — done!

Why the Flu Shot Matters 

The flu isn't just a bad cold. Young children, especially those under 5, are at the highest risk for serious complications like pneumonia and hospitalization.
 
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the 2024–2025 flu season was the most severe for children in years:
 
•  289 children died from the flu
• About 44% of those children had no underlying health condition
• 90% of vaccine-eligible children who died were not fully vaccinated
 
In the best years, the flu shot prevents the flu entirely. When the match isn't perfect, vaccinated children are still far less likely to be hospitalized or die from the flu. 
 
🔥 Hot Off the Press
 
A landmark study published in Pediatrics (July 2026) analyzed every pediatric flu death in the U.S. over nearly a decade, 1,234 children in all. The flu vaccine was 80% effective at preventing death overall, and 87% effective among children with no underlying conditions.
 
A Word About Egg Allergies (Your Child's Flu Shot Just Got an Upgrade)
 
You may not know this, but flu vaccines have traditionally been grown in eggs. While this was perfectly safe, even for kids with egg allergies, we know that never quite stopped some parents of egg-allergic kids from worrying. So in the spirit of doing things better, this year we're switching to Flucelvax, a newer cell-based flu vaccine with no eggs involved, taking that worry off the table.
 
And no, it's not an mRNA vaccine. It works the same way as the flu shots your kids have always gotten, just grown differently. In fact, cell-based manufacturing is already used to make many of the vaccines your child has received, including polio, rotavirus, chickenpox, and hepatitis A. Flucelvax simply brings the flu vaccine up to speed.
 
This isn't brand-new technology. Cell-based flu vaccines have been used in Europe since 2007. Beyond removing the egg question entirely, studies show they may be a little more effective. A small upgrade that could make a real difference in keeping your child healthy!
 
Ready to Get Started?
 
Call our front desk today to get your portal invitation, and you'll be set up in Patient Access Now in no time. 
 
 Because at Pediatric Associates at Northwoods, Patient Access isn't just our program, it's our promise. Now.