Story by: Nate Strothman on March 11, 2020
Some students are already back in classrooms, while others are preparing to go back to in-person learning after months online during the pandemic. No matter what their school attendance calendar looks like, students are required to be up to date on their vaccinations.
According to Jill S. Howell-Berg, M.D., pediatrician with Norton Children’s Medical Group – Clarksville, required vaccinations will help keep your child safe and protect others, including children, faculty and staff.
“Vaccines are an important step to the immunity development of any child,” Dr. Howell-Berg said. “These vaccines have been strategically set up by age group to best protect your child during their growing years. Having your child vaccinated also helps protect those who can’t be immunized.”
Dr. Howell-Berg also reminded parents that it’s best to schedule an appointment early to beat any last-minute rush.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, 40% of parents across the U.S. say their children missed vaccinations, according to statistics provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield. From January to September 2020, there was a 26% drop for MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis) vaccines, and polio vaccines dropped 16%. Lowered vaccination rates can increase the risk of outbreaks of measles and whooping cough (pertussis) by eroding the herd immunity that helps keep many of the conditions from affecting children in the community.
“Once vaccination rates begin to dip below 80% to 70% of the population, that’s when these diseases can start spreading,” Dr. Howell-Berg said. “Vaccinating a child protects that child, but it also protects other children by helping to prevent community spread.”
Norton Children’s Medical Group, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, offers pediatric primary care at more than 20 locations throughout Louisville and surrounding communities, including Southern Indiana.
Find a pediatrician
Norton Children’s Medical Group, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, offers pediatric primary care at more than 20 locations throughout Louisville and surrounding communities, including Southern Indiana. Our offices have taken steps to make visits safer during the coronavirus outbreak. These include:
“Our offices are ready to see patients and have extended weekday and weekend hours at almost every location,” Dr. Howell-Berg said. “Still, parents should schedule visits soon to ensure their child is healthy and ready to go back to school in person.”
Even if your child isn’t due for vaccines, a yearly checkup is a good habit to develop. Your pediatrician can help you and your child prepare for the upcoming year.
“Visits to your pediatrician also can offer a chance to receive information from specialists on how to keep your child safe from illness while they are attending school,” Dr. Howell-Berg said. “Most parents are more aware of the viruses today; however they still have questions that we can answer for them.”