Routine immunization rates decline as Michigan students prepare for fall semester

Michigan (WLUC) – Students 12 and older are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine before school starts this fall. Now health officials say it’s just as important that children get their routine immunizations as well.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) urges parents to make sure their children are up to date with all vaccinations, such as chickenpox, pertussis, polio, and measles. MDHHS Medical Director Dr Joneigh Khaldun cites the successful track record of these vaccinations in the past.

“From 1994 to 2013, vaccinations would prevent an estimated 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations and 732,000 deaths,” Dr Khaldun said.

However, the news organization I Vaccinate says routine immunization rates for children and adolescents have declined dramatically in all age groups. The rates are below 70% for children 19 to 36 months and 73.7% for adolescents.

According to the LMAS district health department, only 52% of 2-year-old newborns in its four counties are up to date with their vaccinations. Public Information Officer Kerry Ott said the pandemic has caused many of the department’s usual operations to shut down. Now families have the opportunity to get back on their feet.

“We started running clinics last month in our offices for anyone overdue for vaccination, regardless of age,” Ott said.

Delta and Menominee counties also fell below a 70% vaccination rate at the start of the pandemic. Public Health Immunization Coordinator Jennie Miller says it is crucial that children are immunized against all possible diseases in order to prevent their spread in the population.

“Depending on the disease, you have to achieve a certain level of herd immunity,” Miller said. “When immunization levels drop, we run the risk of seeing an outbreak of certain diseases, and when we have our hands full of COVID right now, we really don’t want to add other infections to the mix. “

Anyone living in LMAS District or Delta and Menominee Counties is encouraged to contact their local health department if they are not up to date with their vaccinations.

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