According to an article from the CDC (that ran May 8th, 2020), "Vaccine Tracking System data indicates a notable decrease in orders for VFC-funded, ACIP-recommended non-influenza childhood vaccines and for measles-containing vaccines. The identified declines in routine pediatric vaccine ordering and doses administered might indicate that U.S. children and their communities face increased risks for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Parental concerns about potentially exposing their children to Covid-19 during well child visits might contribute to the declines observed. To the extent that this is the case, reminding parents of the vital need to protect their children against serious vaccine-preventable diseases, even as the Covid-19 pandemic continues, is critical. As social distancing requirements are relaxed, children who are not protected by vaccines will be more vulnerable to diseases such as measles."
According to a New York Times article entitled, Coronavirus as a Reminder of the Urgency of Getting Your Vaccines, "a new report, using data from the 2014 National Immunization Survey, long before the novel coronavirus hit, found that more than a third of children in the United States do not get recommended vaccines in a timely fashion, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases they can spread to others who, for medical reasons, cannot safely be immunized."
In other news, The AAP urges vaccination as rates drop due to Covid-19. According to a recent article (in the AAP News dated May 8, 2020), childhood vaccinations plummeted in mid-March after Covid-19 was declared a national emergency, leaving many children vulnerable to preventable diseases, according to a new report. AAP President Sara “Sally” H. Goza, M.D., FAAP, called the findings “incredibly worrisome” and urged pediatricians and families to schedule visits to catch up on immunizations and other vital services using new AAP guidance. “The fact it has dropped so significantly in such a short period of time across the U.S. is really concerning because of the potential for outbreaks,” said Sean T. O'Leary, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, a member of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases.
AAP shared guidance (as of May 8th, 2020) to provide patient services including:
Guidance on Providing Pediatric Well-Care During Covid-19
Guidance on the Necessary Use of Telehealth During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Pediatric practices all concur that keeping current immunization schedules are important to thwart other diseases (such as measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, and more) that could complicate the health of young patients in the time of Covid-19. Sharing the importance of vaccinations from the CDC and practice' care approach to minimize other possible disease threats during the pandemic is critical to reducing the stress on the healthcare system.
"Early on with the Covid-19 crisis, our practice regrouped and created a fluid plan of action to address patient's concerns to ensure our community's safety. Providing viable options to meet the needs of our patients was key. Our plan included, out of office (parking lot) administering of vaccines, weekend hours, drive through service, and tele-health options. Educating our patients about what we were doing to create a safe and healthy environment to conduct visits has been extremely beneficial. While we have seen a pronounced drop off of in-person patient visits, our Covid-19 plan has helped bridge the gap of the earlier drop off. We continue to innovate and see an increase in our well-visit demand."
Dr. Alan Johnson of SF Bay Pediatrics in San Francisco, CA
"Patients not getting appropriately vaccinated is our worst fear. There are many other diseases like measles lurking out there and we need to get our patients protected. We have started with our youngest under 24-month-old patients, matriculated to toddlers, then pre-teens and older patients that are in need of vaccines. Early adoption of tele-health has allowed us to provide an alternative viable method for pediatric care. We are beginning to come out of the initial lack of in-person patient well visits to having a more regular in office schedule. Communicating clearly, frequently and efficiently with your patient community to educate them on the structured plan that you have in place to protect patients and their families is critical."
Dr. Eileen Chan of Pediatric Wellness Group in Redwood City, CA