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HAGERSTOWN, Md. – Meritus Health will be hosting special vaccination clinics for eligible children, aged 6 months through 4 years, beginning Monday, June 27.

Initial doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be offered at the clinic, hosted at Meritus After Hours Pediatrics, 186 Eastern Boulevard, Hagerstown, from 2-5 p.m., by appointment only, with additional clinics planned through July.

“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve continued to follow guidance by the FDA and the CDC, and quickly develop opportunities to provide the COVID vaccine to eligible patients,” explained Meritus President and CEO, Maulik Joshi, Dr.PH.

“We will offer vaccine clinics for the newly-approved age group through the month of July, and then consider, based on community need, the best long-term approach to supporting vaccine needs for this age group,” he said.

He noted that many parents have questions about eligibility and recommendation from their pediatrician or family physician. He recommends parents speak with their children’s provider to best understand risk factors, health concerns, and lifestyle, such as if they attend a child care center or pre-school.

Meritus Health Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Aaron George, says that it’s important to have key questions ready to discuss with your pediatrician or family doctor about vaccines – in particular, new vaccines such as the one for COVID-19.

This can help to ease the worried minds of parents.

“It’s important to realize that a choice not to get vaccinated also involves risk, and could put those who come into contact with you in danger of potentially contracting a deadly disease,” Dr. George said.

How Do Vaccinations Work?

Immunity is the body’s way of preventing disease. When you are born, your immune system is not fully developed, which can put you at greater risk for infections. Vaccinations help provide immunity before you are exposed to potentially life-threatening illnesses.

They reduce your risk of infection by working with your body’s natural defenses to help safely develop immunity.

The illnesses that vaccines prevent can be dangerous, or even deadly.

Are They Safe?

There are several different types of vaccines, and each type is designed to teach your immune system how to fight off certain kinds of serious diseases.

Once a vaccine is licensed, federal agencies routinely monitor its use and investigate any potential safety concerns. Mild side effects of vaccines include a low-grade fever or soreness or redness at the injection site. Severe, long lasting side effects are extremely rare.

How Do I Get My Child Vaccinated?

Following the recommendations by the CDC, Meritus Health will be offering the COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months and older.

Currently, the following clinics are scheduled at this time. Since this is for the youngest age group, we are planning to make the day a little brighter! We have invited a special guest visitor to greet children, who traveled all the way from Sesame Street! Meritus Health Vaccine Clinic for ages 6 months – 4 years old

• Location: Meritus After Hours Pediatrics, 186 Eastern Blvd., Hagerstown, MD 21740

• Date: Monday, June 27, and July 11, 18, 25

• Time: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

• Appointments are required.

Details to schedule can be found by following the COVID-19 Vaccine tab. Details will be updated on MeritusHealth.com regularly to reflect additional clinics, availability of Moderna for this age group, and other information.