COVID-19 disrupted almost every aspect of our lives. We worked from home, students switched to virtual learning, and almost every aspect of our social lives shifted.
While things have gone back to “normal” in many ways, when it comes to routine healthcare and wellness checks, there’s still a lot of catching up to do. One of the biggest areas we’re behind nationally? Routine vaccinations for children.
This means many children have fallen behind on receiving recommended vaccines like measles, chicken pox, mumps, polio, pertussis, and more.
The latest data from the CDC shows that the national childhood vaccination rate among kindergarteners declined by 1%, from 95% in 2019 to 94% in 2021.
One percent may sound like nothing, but it’s something when you put it in terms of the number of doses or kids. According to CDC data, approximately 211,000 kindergarteners did not have all required vaccines in 2021, compared with about 201,000 in 2019, even with 2021 enrollment down by 10%.
Globally, the problem is even more severe. According to the World Health Organization, 25 million children missed out on one or more doses of DTP through routine immunization services in 2021 alone.
“This is a red alert for child health. We are witnessing the largest sustained drop in childhood immunization in a generation. The consequences will be measured in lives,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director. “While a pandemic hangover was expected last year as a result of COVID-19 disruptions and lockdowns, what we are seeing now is a continued decline. COVID-19 is not an excuse. We need immunization catch-ups for the missing millions or we will inevitably witness more outbreaks, more sick children, and greater pressure on already strained health systems.”
Without these immunizations, children are at risk of catching and spreading these preventable diseases, some of which are incredibly serious and can lead to hospitalization or worse.
Keep your children, family, and community safe by making sure everyone you love is up-to-date on their vaccinations.
Today, the CDC recommends children be vaccinated against more than a dozen preventable diseases by the age of 6. Here’s a full list of recommended vaccines.
The best way to make sure your child is up to date on the correct immunizations for their age, schedule an appointment with one of our family care providers.
Youth vaccines are administered by StarMed’s dedicated pediatric staff and technicians. Book your child’s appointment today and keep your family healthy this fall and winter.
Click here to schedule an appointment for your child.
And thank you for helping us keep our communities safe!