The vaccine data so far continues to be tremendously exciting. These vaccines get an A+ when it comes to how effectively they prevent serious infection. The real sticking point seems to be whether they prevent transmission (and what that means for “returning to normal” after getting vaccinated). Here is what we know so far. Preventing transmission? Although the data about efficacy in preventing severe disease is very clear, there have been more questions about the possibility of those who have already been vaccinated still transmitting the virus to others. The reality is, we do not yet have ..read more

The school debate rages on. As I said back in July, everything comes down to a personal risk analysis for your family. What considerations are relevant as you make your decision? Here are some thoughts given what we know about SARS CoV-2 at this time. We have learned a lot in the past year. We have learned that taking consistent and careful measures such as masking, distancing, and staying home when sick can be incredibly helpful to prevent spread of infection. We have learned that children, even the young ones, are perfectly capable of wearing masks and adhering to these guidelines. And of c ..read more

A recent study out of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found that even in children with minimal COVID-19 symptoms, there may be some biochemical changes that are similar to those found in adults with more severe disease. Is this a cause for concern? Here are my thoughts. A brief update on kids As I have mentioned in a prior article, the bar for vaccinating children <12 years will be exceptionally high. Their risk of short-term poor outcomes is lower, and they will likely not be eligible for vaccination for many more months. Current trials are enrolling children >12 years. There ..read more

We are lucky to have two vaccine candidates available in the US that have been proven to be effective at preventing severe COVID-19 infection. But there are a few questions that have come up repeatedly the past few weeks that I want to address. Are these vaccines safe? What about if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding? In this separate article I discuss whether or not your children should get the vaccine. My caveat to this post: I am not an immunologist. I am a pediatrician and a mom who has been reading the literature, and learning from the many respected immunologists, epidemiologists, and ..read more

Although some older children have been enrolled in the COVID-19 vaccine trials, at this time neither vaccine is approved for pediatric patients. But both vaccines available in the US have been proven to be effective at preventing severe COVID-19 infection, which is promising. And yet, I have heard concerns from several parents about whether the vaccines are safe and what choice to make when an option is available and approved for children. It is not wrong to be cautious and careful when making these decisions. Here is a brief discussion of my thoughts on this topic so far (with the understa ..read more

Have you put up your holiday decorations yet?  As someone who did not grow up with the traditional holiday festivities, I adore the opportunity, every year, to bring the magic of the season into my home. And this became even more true once we had children! Of course, when you think of children and holiday decorations, you have to be sure that everything is as safe as possible. Children have a way of finding trouble. What is the best way to childproof your holiday set-up without sacrificing the magic of your decorations? Here are some pediatrician-approved tips. Top 10 tips for holiday ..read more

Okay guys. This article will not be what you want to hear. Time from some straight talk from the perspective of a pediatrician, a mama, a wife, a sister and a daughter. If you are planning to travel for the holidays, don’t. Stay home. On many measures, things are worse than they were when this pandemic began. Almost 2000 people died today from COVID-19. Do you remember when we were running out of hospital beds? And equipment? And PPE? That is where we are headed, and is already a reality in certain places around the country. I hear your fatigue, and your desire for some normalcy, and I und ..read more

Pfizer and BioNTech announced this week that their vaccine is 90% effective at preventing COVID-19 infection. This is very exciting news, but what does it mean for you and your family? Here is a pediatrician’s take on the information available so far, how the vaccine works, timing considerations, and how to keep your family safe while we wait. Brief Summary This week, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that they have a possible COVID-19 vaccine! So far, we have limited information, although the press release was promising: the vaccine is reportedly 90% successful at preventing infection with ..read more

I get it. You don’t want to disappoint your children yet again. Halloween is coming up. Fun costumes, staying up late, parties with friends, and CANDY! What’s not to love? And when 2020 feels like an endless series of disappointments, it is tempting to try to avoid changing how we celebrate. Don’t be fooled. COVID-19 remains a very serious and scary illness that is just waiting to trick you into complacency. So how can you preserve some of the fun and festivity of Halloween while staying safe? Brief summary COVID-19 is still out there. Your choice of activity depends on several factors: y ..read more

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