MAFP Hosts Media Roundtable on Importance of Child Vaccination

As misconceptions about childhood vaccines continue to spread, the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) hosted a media roundtable to highlight the importance of vaccines. Thank you to Bridge Michigan, WWMT-TV, WPBN-TV, WLNS-TV, WKBZ-AM, WTKG-AM and WWJ Newsradio 950 for covering the roundtable. During the Sept. 8 event, MAFP leaders discussed five important facts every parent should know about vaccinating their children:

- Vaccines are much safer than the diseases they prevent.
- Vaccines are effective, preventing serious illness and death, even if sickness still occurs.
- Vaccines do not cause autism.
- Children do get more vaccines than in the past, and that is based on advancements in science.
- Children do need vaccines even though diseases are less common than in the past.

“Michigan family physicians are proud to be a trusted resource and source of credible information for our patients, including on the very important topic of childhood vaccinations," said MAFP President Dr. Bashar Yalldo. "There is unfortunately lots of confusion and misconceptions out there about vaccines and we want parents to know they can always come to us for honest, evidence-based answers to their questions.”

Currently, only 68% of children 19 through 35 months of age have received all the recommended vaccinations, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. In March 2019, that rate was 73.5% for children in that same age group.

Dr. Jennifer Morse, Medical Director for Central Michigan, Mid-Michigan, and District Health Department #10 and Assistant Professor at MSU College of Human Medicine, reminded parents: “Despite recent headlines, the science behind vaccines and what’s needed to keep your children safe from preventable death and serious illness has not changed.”

Dr. Beena Nagappala, family physician in Clinton Township with Cornerstone Medical Group, stressed that the near elimination of contagious diseases is a testament to how well vaccines work.

"We encourage parents to do their research and seek out your family physician if you have questions," she said.

Dr. William Nettleton, Associate Professor at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine and Medical Director of Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department and Calhoun County Public Health Department, said that vaccines significantly decrease the likelihood of getting sick from infectious diseases and also greatly reduce the spread of disease.

“Even the healthiest child can get really sick and even die from preventable diseases such as measles," he said. "We urge parents to seek credible information from their family doctor and get vaccinated before preventable sickness or death occurs.”

Childhood immunizations are readily accessible and available to Michiganders. Parents can obtain them by making appointments with their family physician to keep themselves, their loved ones, and others they come in contact with safe. Immunizations are also accessible at local health departments, health centers located within schools, and pharmacies, and some school districts are hosting immunization fairs.