Childhood immunization rates decline during the pandemic

For fast launch: Could 12, 2022 (22-068)

Contact: DOH Communications

Now’s the time to schedule a well-child go to to get your baby updated on vaccinations

OLYMPIA– A brand new report reveals routine childhood immunization charges decreased through the pandemic, dropping by 13% in 2021 when in comparison with pre-pandemic ranges.

The drop was most noticeable in younger youngsters. In response, the Washington State Division of Well being (DOH), well being care suppliers and different businesses are working with households to catch up and keep present on routine immunizations. “The pandemic has been tough for everybody. Disruptions to education, childcare and in-person well being care made it laborious for some households to remain updated on their photographs,” stated Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, MD, MPH, Chief Science Officer. “We encourage mother and father and caregivers to schedule their well-child visits as quickly as doable, to verify their youngsters are joyful, wholesome, assembly developmental milestones, and prepared for varsity.”

The brand new report, compiled by DOH, compares routine childhood vaccination charges in Washington from 2021 to averages from 2015-2019. Charges have been discovered to have declined probably the most in youthful youngsters, nonetheless charges in teenagers elevated. Key findings embrace:

• Vaccinations decreased 9.6% within the 19–35-month age group.
• Vaccinations decreased 3.9% within the 4–6-year age group.
• Vaccinations decreased 3.6% within the 11–12-year age group.
• Vaccinations elevated 1.8% within the 13–17-year age group.

Kids have to be updated on immunizations to attend pre-school, kindergarten, college, or childcare this fall. Scheduling well-child visits early guarantee youngsters can attend academic applications on time and may scale back the stress of discovering a last-minute appointment. DOH has on-line instruments that can assist you decide in case your baby is updated on state immunization necessities. Vaccine requirement charts for fogeys and caregivers can be found in quite a lot of languages right here. Washington state supplies all advisable childhood vaccines for gratis to youngsters by means of the age of 18.

The Division of Well being has carried out quite a lot of efforts to spice up childhood immunization charges to pre-pandemic ranges. A few of these efforts embrace direct messaging by means of the Watch Me Develop Washington program for fogeys with younger youngsters, bettering equitable vaccine entry and assist for tribes, and collaboration with native public well being. “Vaccines are the most effective instruments we now have to guard youngsters from getting sick from preventable illnesses,” added Dr. Kwan-Gett.

The DOH web site is your supply for a wholesome dose of data. Discover us on Fb and follow us on Twitter. Join the DOH weblog, Public Well being Connection.

###

Printable Model (PDF)