The Covid-19 pandemic changed everything about how Brad Wasserman ’96 and his colleagues at Oberlin Road Pediatrics practiced medicine. They divided up their office to create separate areas for sick and well patients. They closed their waiting room and asked patients to stay outside until their appointments began. And Wasserman, one of nine pediatricians at the practice, located just a few miles from the State Capitol building in Raleigh, N.C., converted his 43-year-old school bus into an onsite flu shot clinic.
The Oberlin Road staff also took early steps to prepare for one crucial pandemic milestone: the approval of Covid-19 vaccines for children. In May, they began administering shots to kids age 12 and up. Then, shortly after the Pfizer vaccine was approved for 5- to 11-year-olds in early November, Oberlin Road received its first allotment. They’ve seen a steady stream of young patients ever since.
We spoke to Wasserman about rolling out the vaccines, addressing parents’—and patients’—concerns and the aptly named “Cool Bus.”
Q&A written for Williams College.