August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and with childhood immunizations on the decline because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re asking for your help in educating local parents about the importance of keeping their children’s vaccinations up-to-date.
The CDC reports that child vaccination rates have declined by half during the COVID-19 pandemic. This decrease may be the result of stay-at-home orders, which may have caused parents to question the safety of health clinics and the significance of childhood checkups. In our state, as hospitals and health clinics update their safety procedures to ensure the safety of patients in their facilities, there is no need for parents to be afraid to take their children for these important wellness visits.
For National Immunization Awareness Month, please join us in encouraging parents and caregivers to schedule wellness visits for their children so that they don’t fall behind on important immunizations.
Attached is an article you can use to share safety tips for parents to follow as they schedule these well visits, and you are also welcome to interview our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Stewart Gordon, a well-known and respected pediatrician, to learn more about how parents can help their children get their vaccinations while protecting them from COVID-19. (Dr. Gordon’s headshot and professional bio are attached for your consideration.)
If you’d like to schedule an interview with Dr. Gordon, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thanks so much for helping us to promote childhood vaccinations so that Louisiana does not fall further behind in immunization rates.