Cape Ann Doctors Encourage Families to Get Vaccinated

Local Pediatricians Encourage COVID Vaccination

Several local pediatricians are encouraging their patients to consider vaccination to protect themselves and their loved ones from serious illness from COVID-19.

"I strongly advise parents to get their adolescent children immunized against COVID-19,” said Dr. Ian Sklaver, of Garden City Pediatric Associates in Beverly. “While serious infections from COVID are uncommon in adolescents, they do occur. The best way to protect your children is by getting them vaccinated. COVID will continue to spread until a large majority of people are immune. Immunization helps protect us all; it is our best shot!"

“I strongly encourage all my patients to get the Pfizer vaccine,” said Dr. Brian Orr, of Brian Orr Pediatrics in Gloucester. “Getting everyone vaccinated is the only way for us to get out of this pandemic. The vaccine is highly effective and is the one I received when I got vaccinated. Help us end this pandemic! Get your kids vaccinated.”

Among the children and teens in Pfizer’s clinical trial who received the vaccine and not the placebo, the most common side effects following their vaccination were pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, chills, muscle pain, fever and joint pain. Side effects normally lasted 1-3 days and were more common after the second dose.

"Expanding access to vaccinations to children to prevent COVID-19 with the Pfizer mRNA vaccine has the potential to significantly decrease risk of COVID-19 to people of all ages,” said Dr. Damian K. L. Archer, Chief Medical Officer and Family Physician at North Shore Community Health. “Parents and guardians of children should contact their primary care physician or advanced practitioner to discuss their child's unique set of health benefits, risks and alternatives to COVID-19 vaccination so that they can make a decision that is best for the health and well-being of their entire family. The general rule of thumb with all preventative care is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

"Teens should get vaccinated for COVID," said Dr. Jeffrey Stockman of Cape Ann Pediatrics. "While infection in adolescents is generally a mild disease, there is still a risk of serious complications from getting infected. It can also have a major impact on mental health, self esteem and social development. Not to mention quarantine is just no fun at all. Vaccinated teens can go to summer camp, sleep over with friends, travel and go on vacation without worry. If vaccinated, you also lower the chance of spreading the virus to higher risk individuals, including parents and grandparents. It is a win-win for everyone.”

For more information about Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website here. For the latest vaccination and COVID-19 related updates, visit the Gloucester Health Department’s news blog, Facebook page, and Twitter account.