Coronavirus COVID-19 Information

On this page, you will find our office guidelines regarding Covid-19 as well as info on how to schedule your child for a Covid vaccine. 

COVID - 19 Office Guideline

Masks are now optional in our offices.

WELLNESS APPOINTMENTS:
If your child or the adult bringing your child to the appointment has any sick symptoms, has had exposure to someone with coronavirus, or is waiting for a COVID test result then please call the office to reschedule the checkup.

Covid-19 FAQs

If you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, then please follow the quarantine guidelines:

· Exposure Guideline

· Exposure Dept Of Health Guideline

If you have tested positive for the COVID-19 infection, please follow these isolation guidelines:

· Isolation Guideline

COVID-19 VACCINE INFO FOR 6 months and up.

GPAM Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination in Children 6 months old and older:

The doctors and nurse practitioners at Gwinnett Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine recommend children ages 6 months and older be vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus. 

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. This is a new virus not seen before that is primarily a respiratory illness. Those who contract COVID-19 could have a wide variety of symptoms from none to severe disease and even death.

The Covid-19 Vaccine does NOT contain any virus and CANNOT give you COVID-19. The vaccines are safe to give if breastfeeding.

WHO SHOULD NOT GET THE VACCINE:

· Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine

· Anyone who has a history of a severe allergic reaction to the ingredients in the vaccine (polyethylene glycol)

WHO SHOULD TALK TO THEIR PROVIDER BEFORE GETTING THE VACCINE:

· Anyone that is immunocompromised or on medication that affects your immune system

· Anyone with a bleeding disorder or on a blood thinner

· Anyone that is currently sick with a fever

· Anyone with a history of a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children after a COVID-19 infection

HOW IS THE VACCINE GIVEN:

The Pfizer vaccine is given in 3 doses for those in the age group 6 months to 5 years, and two doses minimum 3 weeks apart for those above age 5 with boosters minimum of 6 months after.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF THE PFIZER AND MODERNA COVID-19 VACCINE?

There is a remote chance that the vaccines could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you to stay at the place where you received your vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:

· Difficulty breathing

· Swelling of your face and throat

· A fast heartbeat

· A bad rash all over your body

· Dizziness and weakness

Possible side effects from the vaccines include:

· Injection site reactions: pain, tenderness, and swelling of the lymph nodes in the same arm of the injection, swelling (hardness), and redness

· General side effects: fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, nausea and vomiting, and fever

We hope this provides some clarity on the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and how strongly we feel that all children and adolescents that are eligible for them should get it. If you have further questions or concerns, we are happy to provide counseling through a telehealth appointment.

 COVID-19 VACCINE AT GPAM

STAY SAFE GPAM Family- Remember social distancing, frequent handwashing, and masking are helping us ALL!!  Also, please follow us on Facebook for frequent updates and tips regarding current the current situation.

OTHER RESOURCES REGARDING COVID-19

Return to school during Covid-19.

Myths and Facts about Covid Vaccine

Dr. Washington on 11-Alive discussing kids and masks.

When you can be around others after you had or likely had Covid-19.