Officials want kids caught up on vaccines
LANSING» Michigan’s health department is urging that children be caught up on their vaccines as soon as possible after a drop in immunizations due to the cancellation of appointments during the coronavirus pandemic.
The state said the percentage of 5-month-olds fully up to date on all recommended vaccines was less than half in May, down from about twothirds in recent years. Vaccination coverage declined in almost every other milestone age cohort below age 2, according to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical executive and chief deputy health director, said it is concerning that so many children are behind, making them susceptible to preventable diseases. Health care providers are putting in place safety procedures to ensure patients can come in for well visits and immunizations, she said.
“Vaccines are essential,” Khaldun said. The flu vaccine will be vital for anyone age 6 months and older this fall to keep people out of the hospital for flu-related illnesses and to protect the health system’s capacity during the pandemic, she said.
In March, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered restrictions on nonessential medical procedures to reduce the strain on the health system as COVID-19 cases peaked, which contributed to delays in routine appointments — as did people’s fears and adherence to stay-at-home restrictions. She lifted the medical order about two months later.
The pandemic-related drop in immunizations comes at a time health experts already are sounding the alarm about a slight dip in Michigan’s vaccination rates over the past two years.