Michigan Academy of Family Physicians held a media roundtable on Aug. 6 urging parents to ensure their children are up to date on routine, preventative vaccinations. According to the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, only 66.9% of children aged 19 through 35 months have received all the recommended vaccinations. This is a drop from 73.5% in March 2019. Thank you to
WWJ-AM,
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Rachel M. Klamo, DO, MS, FAAFP, MAFP
President and family physician at Ascension Medical Group in Oxford, noted the pandemic caused a significant drop in childhood vaccination rates, which haven't yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, potentially leading to preventable diseases. As school approaches, parents should ensure children are up to date on vaccinations.
"The rate of childhood vaccination dropped significantly during the pandemic and unfortunately hasn’t fully rebounded to 2019 levels, which could lead to the return of preventable diseases," Dr. Klamo said. "As families prepare to send children back to school, we urge them to add getting up to date on these critical vaccinations to their to-do lists."
Delicia Pruitt, MD, MPH, FAAFP, MAFP Board Member, family physician with CMU Education Partners in Saginaw, and medical director at Saginaw County Health Department, added that we are exposed to many germs daily through various sources. Immunizations are essential to stay healthy and protect ourselves from these germs.
"People often forget that we are exposed to thousands of germs every day, from the things we touch, to the foods we eat, and even the air we breathe," said Dr. Pruitt. "We must be vigilant and take advantage of resources, like immunizations, that are available to keep us healthy."
Frank Animikwam, MD, family physician and medical director with Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians in Petoskey, emphasized that preventing illnesses through annual checkups and routine vaccinations is easier than treating them. The decline in immunization rates jeopardizes community health, and it’s crucial to catch up on vaccinations before school starts.
“Preventing illnesses is much easier than treating them, which is why family physicians recommend annual checkups and staying up to date on routine vaccinations that keep us healthy," said Dr. Animikwam. "The drop in immunizations puts the health of our communities at risk. It’s time to reverse the downward trend and get up to date on immunizations before school begins.”
Immunizations are the reason we don’t see as many contagious illnesses suffered by past generations. Without vaccines, these diseases will come back. Here are some facts on illnesses routine vaccines prevent:
