***We now have Covid-19 vaccine in stock, see the Covid Vaccine page or more information***

(Scroll down for Holiday closing information)

We can now perform telemedicine for certain appointments. Please call the office to see if telemedicine would be appropriate for you. 

COVID-19 Updates

These are exciting times as we see a true drop in COVID-19 infection and death throughout the country!

As I write this, Maryland’s Covid-19 positivity rate is down to 3.89% positivity and falling. It is so empowering to realize that WE THE PEOPLE now have the knowledge and resources available to bring that number down to ZERO %....and it could happen by fall….but ONLY if we all work together. Please keep this fact in mind, until we are at zero %, this is not over!

How can we get to 0%? First, by saying ‘YES’ to the Covid-19 vaccine! The vaccine is our single most important weapon in winning the war against Covid-19! Vaccine eligibility has started extending to everyone and all formulations of the vaccine are fast becoming available at numerous locations near you, many of them on a walk-in basis. We will continuously update our website to provide these locations. Second, until you are FULLY VACCINATED (see CDC guidelines link below) continue to protect yourself and others by wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth, social distancing, and constant hand washing/disinfecting.

As we have mentioned in previous newsletters, every member of our staff accepted the first available Covid-19 vaccine when it was offered to us in January. While you now may be offered a choice of vaccine, we advocate for all of the formulations. They are all safe and remarkably effective, which is providing the CDC with enough compelling evidence that they are loosening mask and social distancing guidelines for those who are ‘fully vaccinated’!! See full details at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html

The pediatric medical community is excitedly anticipating an announcement that the Pfizer Covid-19     2-dose vaccine will soon be approved for ages 12-16 years. The studies showed a 100% effective antibody response, no deaths, and no serious side-effects. Because the Pfizer vaccine requires a storage temperature of -20 degrees F, it cannot be distributed to doctor’s offices, however we will gladly assist you in finding a site that can vaccinate your child(ren).

In writing all of this, we want to emphasize that WE ARE HERE! Do not hesitate to call us or send a portal message with all of your questions or concerns. Our doctors and staff are always up to date regarding anything Covid-19 related. Based on that knowledge, we will continue to protect the safety of our patients by using the parking lot as our waiting room, limiting room occupancy, and escorting our patients in and out of the office. Our re-structured office allows us to see sick patients in an isolated area, completely separate from well patients. Please remain in your vehicle until we signal you to come in.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: PLEASE SCHEDULE YOUR CHILDREN’S WELL CHECKS, SPORT PHYSICALS, AND COLLEGE PHYSICALS to avoid any interruption in their vaccine schedule or difficulties registering for school sports or college entrance. The use of telemedicine during the pandemic made it possible to safely treat patients, and we may use it for some sick visits or medication checks if you are on vacation or away at college, but the best medical care comes from seeing our patients in person. Children change and develop so quickly. Annual check-ups give us the best opportunity to monitor those changes and catch any inconsistencies both mentally and physically.

Warmest regards from Dr. Hackett and Dr. Ginsburg