PNP physicians fully endorse the CDC and AAP recommendations that all people get vaccinated against Covid-19 when the vaccine becomes available to them.
All NJ residents ages 5 and older are now eligible for the vaccine. You can find locations on the NJ Covid website. There are multiple pharmacies in our area and many school districts are running clinics as well. There is an ample supply of vaccine at the present time. There are ongoing studies for younger children that look extremely promising. We are hoping that there will be Covid-19 vaccine approved and available for younger children soon.
People who had Covid-19 are still recommended to get the vaccine, since we do not know how long natural immunity lasts. There is no specific time period that you have to wait before getting the Covid vaccine after you have had Covid-19 disease. If someone received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma for treatment during their Covid-19 illness, then the recommendation is to wait 90 days before vaccination. For other illnesses, it’s reasonable to wait until 24 hours after fever and the other symptoms subside before being vaccinated.
Please continue to be careful and follow mitigation strategies that have been successful throughout the past year. Masking, physical distancing, staying home when exposed to Covid or ill with symptoms has helped us flatten the curve. We are almost out of the woods, but are still in a race between vaccinating everyone and the continuing spread of disease.
These Covid-19 vaccines not only work, but truly seem amazing. They are extremely effective and safe. There is no evidence that they cause any long term harm, including no evidence that they cause sterility (this is a false myth being propagated on some college campuses). If we get everyone immunized, we should be able to put an end to this pandemic.
So, help us help you. Please stay safe, use good judgment and get vaccinated.
The Physicians of PNP