Childhood immunization rates decline in Washington state during pandemic

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A brand new report exhibits routine childhood immunization charges have decreased throughout the pandemic, dropping by 13% in 2021 when in comparison with pre-pandemic ranges, in keeping with Washington state well being officers.

The Washington State Division of Well being mentioned Thursday that in response, the Division of Well being, well being care suppliers and different businesses are working with individuals to catch up and stay present on routine immunizations.

“The pandemic has been tough for everybody. Disruptions to education, childcare and in-person well being care made it exhausting for some households to remain updated on their photographs,” mentioned Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, the state’s chief science officer. “We encourage dad and mom and caregivers to schedule their well-child visits as quickly as doable, to verify their youngsters are completely happy, wholesome, assembly developmental milestones, and prepared for varsity.”

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The report, compiled by the Division of Well being, compares routine childhood vaccination charges in Washington from 2021 to averages from 2015 to 2019.

Charges have been discovered to have declined essentially the most in youthful kids, with vaccinations reducing 9.6% within the 19-to-35-month age group. They decreased 3.9% in these ages 4 to six and decreased 3.6% for these ages 11 and 12.

For teenagers ages 13 to 17, nevertheless, vaccinations elevated 1.8%, state well being officers mentioned.

Washington state supplies all advisable childhood vaccines for gratis to kids by means of the age of 18.

Vaccines are one of the best instruments now we have to guard youngsters from getting sick from preventable illnesses,” mentioned Kwan-Gett.

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