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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan’s children are falling behind in routine vaccines, out of postponed doctor visits.
Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services has urged families to get their children and adolescents caught up with all needed vaccines as quickly as possible.
Decreases in immunization rates puts people at higher risk for disease outbreaks.
Data from Michigan’s Care Improvement Registry, showed less than half of the state’s 5 month olds were current on all recommended vaccines, which is down from ⅔ of children from 2016-2019.
The registry also reported that only 53 percent of the state’s 19-35 month old children were fully vaccinated.
Michigan’s Chief Health Officer, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, stated it was concerning to see so many children behind on vaccinations, and susceptible to preventable diseases.
Parents are urged to contact their healthcare provider, to schedule a visit, to get caught up on vaccines.
