by. Dr. Stella Ocampo, MD, FAAP, La Junta Clinic
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a decline in pediatric visits and immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving children at risk for vaccine preventable diseases. As states open up, parents are encouraged to schedule appointments to catch-up on vaccines.
Immunizations are EFFECTIVE, SAFE, and SAVE LIVES. Vaccines protect against diseases like mumps, measles, rubella, chicken pox, Hep A and B, diptheria, tetanus, rotavirus, pneumococcal, Haemophilus influenza type B, influenza, meningitis and human papilloma virus. Not only do immunizations protect vaccinated children, higher immunizations rate protect vulnerable children and seniors who are too young or too old to be vaccinated as well as those who are too sick to receive vaccinations.
As the flu season starts, children and adults are encouraged to receive the flu vaccine especially during this COVID season so as to prevent from acquiring the flu and developing its complications.
As we are experiencing a global pandemic which has been trying for everyone, especially, health care personnel, multiple trials are going on worldwide in search of a vaccine for COVID-19. Hopefully this would be realized soon, so that we would have another addition to our defense against communicable diseases.
Immunizations keep children healthy. A healthy child makes a healthy adult. Immunize your children today!
