A growing number of children across our state and region may be at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases as a result of postponed well-child visits amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number of non-influenza vaccines administered to and reported for children aged 18 and under dropped by 21.5 percent between Jan and April 2020, when compared to similar periods in 2018 and 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Moreover, only 53.1 percent of Michigan children 19 months through 35 months of age were up-to-date for all recommended vaccines according to a study published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
“A 53 percent rate is not effective in protecting our child populations,” said Robert Sprunk, M.D., FAAP, a Munson Healthcare pediatrician who chairs the Northern MI Vaccine Preventable Disease Task Force (NMVPDTF) – a collaboration among experts from Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, Grand Traverse County Health Department, Health Department of Northwest Michigan, Munson Healthcare, the Northern Physicians Organization (NPO), and Wexford Physician Hospital Organization (PHO).
"This decline in immunization rates most strongly affects our youngest and most vulnerable children, without which they have no protection from life-threatening diseases,” Sprunk added.
Deeply concerned by the lagging vaccination trends, the NMVPDTF urges parents to schedule their children’s well-child visits and request an update for all recommended immunizations.
“These staggeringly low numbers indicate that Michigan residents of all ages are at higher risk for preventable-disease outbreak,” said Munson Healthcare’s Chief Medical Officer Christine Nefcy, M.D., FAAP. “As we continue to face COVID-19 and the possibility of a second wave of outbreaks in the coming months, focusing on general disease prevention, especially in our children, is more critical than ever.”
Immunizations work with children’s natural defenses to help them safely develop protection from diseases. They continue to remain one of the single most effective deterrents – and in some cases, such as measles, whooping cough, and polio – the only protection against disease.
Healthcare providers across the region have implemented several of safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while providing needed care to patients of all ages. Some of these measures include:
- Stringent masking and health screening policies for both patients and staff
- Staggered appointments to promote social distancing
- Routine cleaning and disinfecting of facilities to ensure the highest patient safety
Due to reduced provider office capacity, a preventative measure implemented to encourage social distancing and keep patients safe, it's more important than ever for parents to schedule (or avoid postponing) well-child visits and ask for up-to-date immunizations.
“Parents have the power to protect their children against serious diseases like measles, cancers caused by HPV, and whooping cough,” Dr. Nefcy emphasized.
“Schedule your children's well-child visits now – or avoid the urge to cancel prior-scheduled visits – and talk to your doctor about how to stay on track with vaccines at this time,” shared Joe Santangelo, M.D., Munson Healthcare Chief Quality and Safety Officer. “Together, we can ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic is not followed by an influx in cases of vaccine-preventable diseases.”
The NMVPDTF also stresses that vaccines aren’t just for kids.
“Adults may need vaccines to protect against whooping cough, flu, pneumonia, and shingles,” explained Joshua Meyerson, M.D., M.D.H., Medical Director Health Department of Northwest Michigan, DHD#4, Benzie Leelanau DHD. “Ask your doctor about vaccines you may need for your age, health conditions, job, or lifestyle.”
Individuals or families without insurance may be able to get vaccinations at a lower or no cost. Visit Vaccinateyourfamily.org/paying-for-vaccines for more info.
Click on the following links for more information:
http://munsonhealthcare.org/vaccines