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Healthcare workers concerned over drop in youth vaccinations

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC has reported a decrease in the number of vaccines ordered and administered, two Missouri health organizations partnering to encourage parents take their children for well-child visits and recommended vaccinations.

Missouri and the U.S. have seen a sweeping trend of declining vaccination rates, mostly among children, due to COVID-19.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is now partnering with the Missouri Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MOAAP) to encourage parents to take their children for well-child visits and recommended vaccinations, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The department emphasizes the importance of wellness appointments for children, stating that these check-ups play a vital role in ensuring children are healthy and protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

“Well-child visits monitor a child’s growth and development, as well as provide important immunizations,” Kristin Sohl, MD, president of MOAAP said. “Routine visits with your child’s pediatrician or primary care provider are essential to keeping your child healthy during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In April 2020 in Missouri, the state saw more than a 50% decrease in the number of vaccines given to children 18 years of age or younger as compared to April 2019, the release said.

Slight increases were reported in May and June, however compared to the same months in 2019, the decreases were still more than 35% and 30% for the respective months.

DHSS is partnering with the MOAAP, Federally Qualified Health Centers, local public health agencies, and other community partners to help provide vaccines to Missourians in safe and innovative ways to avoid an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease and ensure children are able to enter school as they reopen, the release said.

“One of the many things we have been working on is outlining ways that we can help protect students, teachers and their families during this time,” Randall Williams, MD, DHSS director, said. “Getting caught up on well-child visits and vaccinations is a proactive measure that we encourage families to take. Many childhood illnesses can be prevented by vaccines, and protecting our immune systems is especially important this school year.”