Staying Healthy This Fall: Vaccines, Office Safety & Rescheduling

Fall is here, and so is cold and flu season. At Ferguson Dental Associates, we want every visit this time of year to be safe, comfortable and on time, for you and for everyone who walks through our doors in Montclair.

Below you’ll find a quick guide to this season’s recommended vaccines, the steps we take in our office to protect you, and what to do if you need to move an appointment because you’re not feeling well.

Recommended vaccines for the 2026–2027 season

The best time to get your flu shot is now, ideally before Halloween, and most individuals should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine too. The recommendations below come from the NJ Department of Health and the nation’s leading physician groups.

You can usually get more than one of these vaccines at the same time, through your primary care doctor or at most local pharmacies. Please remember your physician or pharmacist is the best person to tell you which ones are right for you, especially if you’re pregnant, immunocompromised or managing a chronic condition. 

Vaccine	Who it’s recommended for	Good to know
Flu	Everyone 6 months and older	Adults 65+ should ask for a high-dose, adjuvanted or recombinant flu shot. Young children getting their first flu vaccine may need 2 doses, 4 weeks apart.
COVID-19	Everyone 6 months and older	Adults 65+ and people with weakened immune systems are advised to get a second dose about 6 months later.
RSV	Adults 75+, and adults 50–74 at higher risk	It’s a one-time vaccine, not annual. If you’ve had it before, you don’t need another this year.
RSV (pregnancy and infants)	Pregnant people at 32–36 weeks (Sept–March), or infants under 8 months entering their first RSV season	Infants are protected either through the mother’s vaccine or a preventive antibody shot. Your OB or pediatrician will help you choose.

Tip: Try not to schedule your shots right before your dental visit, a big event, a trip or a busy workday. Mild soreness, tiredness or a low fever for a day or two after a shot is common, so a little breathing room helps you feel your best.

How we keep our office safe this fall

Infection control has always been at the heart of dentistry, and Ferguson Dental Associates follows appropriate masking and infection-control practices all year long, not just during cold and flu season. Here’s what you can expect:

• Masks and protective gear: Our clinical team wears masks, eye protection and gloves for every patient.
• Masks for patients: Complimentary masks are available at the front desk for anyone who’d like one while in common areas.
• Clean surfaces: Every treatment room is disinfected between patients, and high-touch areas in the reception room are wiped down throughout the day.
• Sterilized instruments: All reusable instruments are cleaned and sterilized after each use.
• Hand hygiene: Hand sanitizer is available throughout the office, and our team washes or sanitizes before and after every patient.
• Fresh air: Our heating and cooling system uses antimicrobial UV-C light to help keep the air throughout the office clean, all day, every day. During cleanings and treatment, high-speed suction captures water spray and aerosols right at the source, before they reach the room. Together with our protective gear and room disinfection, these routine protections are built into every cleaning and dental procedure. We also use advanced in-room air filters when our team feels they’re needed, and we’re always happy to turn one on at your request.
• A quick check-in: When we confirm your appointment, we may ask whether you have any cold, flu or COVID symptoms so we can plan together.

If you have a weakened immune system or simply feel more comfortable with extra space, just ask. We’re happy to run the additional air filter in your treatment room, book you for the first appointment of the day, or have you wait in your car until your treatment room is ready.

When and how to reschedule

Mild symptoms, such as a stuffy nose or a cough without fever, don’t mean you need to reschedule. If you have a mild cough or stuffy nose, we’d appreciate you wearing a mask in the reception area. But if you’re seriously under the weather, please stay home and reschedule. We will never charge a fee for moving an appointment because of illness.

Please reschedule if you have:

• A fever, chills or body aches
• A positive flu, COVID-19 or RSV test
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Any symptoms that make you feel unwell enough to stay home from work or school

A good rule of thumb: wait until you’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine and your symptoms are improving. Then we’ll gladly see you.

Dental emergency while you’re sick? Don’t wait. Call us. Severe pain, swelling or a broken tooth still needs attention, and we’ll work out a safe plan with you.

How to reschedule:

1. Call or text us at 973-744-3181.
2. Leave a voicemail, and we’ll call you back as soon as possible.
3. Reply to your appointment reminder text or email.

The earlier you let us know, the easier it is to offer your time to another patient who needs it. Even a same-day call is appreciated.

Here for you all season

Thank you for helping us keep our patients, our team and our community healthy. If you have any questions about your upcoming visit or our office precautions, give us a call at 973-744-3181. We are always willing to listen to and accommodate individualized concerns, and we look forward to seeing your smile this fall.

This post is for general information and isn’t medical advice. Please talk with your physician or pharmacist about which vaccines are right for you.

Sources

• New Jersey Department of Health: Executive Directives to Ensure Access to Influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and Routine Childhood Vaccines (September 29, 2026)
• AMA: 2026–2027 Immunization Recommendations