COVID-19 Has Led to Decreases in Childhood Vaccinations, Endangering Kids

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As parents, it’s natural to worry about your little ones contracting the Delta variant, especially if they’re under 12. You’re likely diligent about mask-wearing, frequently disinfecting, and even shedding tears of relief at the news of a vaccine for younger children. But amidst all the COVID precautions, are your kids current on their routine vaccinations?

If your response is “um, but COVID,” we need to reassess your commitment to public health.

Research from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that during the pandemic, many children have fallen behind on essential vaccinations, and the implications are serious. For children aged 12 to 23 months and 2 to 8 years, the CDC reports a staggering drop in MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination rates of “a median of 22% and 63%,” respectively. DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccinations for kids under 24 months fell by almost 16%, with a shocking 60% drop for those aged 2 to 6. While some parents attempted to catch up, the CDC found that these efforts have not been nearly enough to make up for the decline.

A study published in Pediatrics highlighted an alarming trend, noting that measles vaccination rates in children under 16 months saw a significant decrease when comparing 2019 to 2020, with conditions continuing to worsen. Coverage rates for measles across all age groups remain lower than they were in 2019.

The Urgent Need for Routine Vaccinations

It’s been a year and a half now. Doctors know how to keep sick and healthy children apart, and your kids understand the importance of sanitizing and masking. The excuse of fearing COVID at the doctor’s office doesn’t hold water anymore. Your children are likely exposed to germs on the bus or in school, where hygiene practices can be lacking. In fact, they may be safer at the pediatrician’s office than anywhere else.

Your hesitance to visit healthcare providers due to COVID has raised alarms among epidemiologists. As Yvonne Maldonado, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ committee on infectious diseases, put it, “As states begin to reopen, we are concerned that we could see outbreaks of measles, whooping cough, and other life-threatening diseases that could spread rapidly.”

While you’re anxious about your children catching Delta, consider the risks of measles if they are not up-to-date with their vaccinations. Epidemiologists urge vigilance, as they possess crucial knowledge about infectious diseases.

William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, expressed concern over a potential regression in immunity against diseases that had previously been under control, such as mumps, meningitis, and measles.

The Risks of Measles and Other Diseases

Reflect on the measles outbreaks in New York City from 2018 to 2019, which saw 1,249 cases nationwide. In contrast, last year, the U.S. only reported thirteen cases due to social distancing measures. However, measles requires a vaccination coverage of 93-95% to achieve herd immunity. During the Rockland County outbreak, coverage was only 77%. Do you know the vaccination rates at your child’s school? Many schools lack adequate records on routine vaccinations, and a quarter of U.S. schools don’t have a school nurse at all, making it hard to track these numbers.

As international travel resumes, diseases like measles could easily re-enter the U.S. According to the CDC, measles carries a hospitalization rate of 10%. In contrast, even Delta has a lower hospitalization rate of 49.7 per 100,000 children. Measles poses a far greater danger than COVID, especially when pediatric ICUs are already overwhelmed with COVID cases.

Dr. Bradley Ackerson, a co-author of the Pediatrics study, warns that even a slight reduction in measles vaccination coverage could lead to significant outbreaks.

The Broader Implications

We must also consider other diseases like mumps and HPV, which have seen dramatic drops in vaccination rates: 64% for kids aged 9-12 and 71% for those aged 13-17. The risks of contracting HPV can lead to serious health issues later in life, and the same goes for diseases like pertussis and meningitis.

It’s essential to remember that public health is a collective responsibility. If you’re delaying vaccinations for your child while waiting for a COVID vaccine, consider the ramifications. Schedule those routine vaccinations today. Yes, your child might cry, but you can reward them with ice cream or a toy afterward. The alternative could result in them being part of the next wave that fills our hospitals.

For more tips on home insemination and parenting, check out our other posts, such as this one. And if you’re looking for a comprehensive guide on pregnancy, visit Healthline.

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Summary:

COVID-19 has led to a significant decline in routine childhood vaccinations, putting children at risk for diseases like measles, mumps, and whooping cough. As parents focus on COVID precautions, it’s crucial to ensure that kids are up-to-date on their vaccinations to prevent outbreaks of these dangerous diseases, especially as communities reopen and travel resumes.

Keyphrase: COVID-19 and childhood vaccinations

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