The first health care worker to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick now wants other parents to make sure their children get the shots.

Anthony Patten, a physician assistant, is advocating for children to get vaccinated. He brought his 12-year-old son Jeremiah with him this morning to follow dad's lead.  

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Children ages 12 to 15 became eligible last Wednesday to get the Pfizer vaccine. Jeremiah says he feels tired of staying at home and wants to get back to normal life.

“I was getting tired of being at home all the time, and being in school is really fun,” says Jeremiah. “I wanted to get up and do stuff because there's times when I'm at home, I don't feel the most happy. So being vaccinated, being able to go outside -- I'll be a lot better.”

Patten says getting your child vaccinated is a decision the entire family must make together and should not be rushed.  

“I think you never make these decisions in a vacuum,” says Patten. “You have to talk to people that you trust. Most children have a pediatrician you go and you have those conversations and then you get enough information to make an informed decision.”

Vaccine appointments at the hospital are readily available.