As schools in the Commonwealth prepare to open for the new academic year, the physicians of the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS), the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MCAAP) and the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians
(MassAFP) strongly encourage parents and guardians to ensure that their children are up to date on all vaccinations and boosters, including those that reduce the effects of and transmission of COVID-19 and those required to attend school.
The importance of in-person learning and its positive effect on the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of children cannot be understated. Public health officials, school officials, school districts, and families must work collaboratively toward
a shared goal of an academic year with as little disruption as possible. Vaccines are safe and remain our most effective public health tool to prevent outbreaks of COVID-19 and interruption of day-to-day learning that will result from a significant
increase of positive cases.
COVID-19 is still here, it is still a threat to public health, and there exists the likelihood of a surge in the fall and winter. Therefore, it is critically important that schools be prepared to shift quickly to preventive measures proven to reduce the
spread of COVID-19 should community data suggest a significantly increased risk of contracting COVID-19 within the school or in the community.
Our organizations will work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and continue to monitor key data and base real-time COVID-19 guidance on relevant
and current public health data. We wish all students, school staff, and families a safe and productive school year.
-Theodore A. Calianos, II, MD, FACS, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
-Mary Beth Miotto, MD, MPH, President, Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
-Emily Chin, MD, MPH, FAAFP, President, Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians
