Vaccination Use is Declining: Here’s What Parents Should Know

Over the past several years, there has been a decline in families deciding to vaccinate their children. This began with trust and access issues because of the COVID-19 pandemic and has persisted beyond lockdown barriers and social distancing concerns.

According to a study on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vaccination rates, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant and sustained impact on routine vaccinations among children and adults alike. The study notes large decreases in vaccine administration from 2019 to 2020:

• A 32% decrease in vaccination administration among adults.
• A 62% decrease among children under two years old.
• A whopping 96% decrease among children aged two to 18.

While vaccination rates did begin to rise toward the end of 2020 and into 2021, they still have not risen to pre-pandemic levels. Knowing the efficacy and importance of routine childhood vaccinations is important to protect yourself, your family and your community.

How do vaccines work?

According to the World Health Organization, vaccines are a simple, safe and effective way to protect yourself from harmful diseases before you ever encounter them. They train your immune system to fight the disease so that if you come in contact with the illness in the future, your body remembers how to fight it off before you ever get sick. 

Why does vaccinating my child matter?

Getting your child vaccinated not only protects your child, but also their peers around them. Choosing to not vaccinate may put your child and vulnerable populations at risk.

“We never know how a child will react to an illness,” shares Madeline Petee, CNP, a pediatric specialist with ProMedica Physicians Health Specialists of Lenawee. “Even if they are otherwise healthy, an illness that you may expect to just cause a cough could lead to serious illness, hospitalization or even death.”

Many childhood illnesses that used to be common are no longer prevalent because of vaccines. Look at chickenpox, for example. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), since the chickenpox vaccine program began in 1995, chickenpox cases have declined by over 97%. A disease that was once common among children and had the potential for serious side effects is now rare in the United States.

“As vaccination rates decline, we will likely begin to see the number of cases of these diseases rise again,” Petee explains. “We’re only seeing a decrease in disease instances now because the vaccines are working.”

As more and more parents opt to not vaccinate their children, rates of diseases and disease transmission will rise.

What vaccines are important for children to get before school?

The best way to protect children from diseases before they’re exposed is to follow the CDC’s Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.

“Many parents come into the office concerned about the number of vaccines we recommend. Especially if you’re bringing your infant in. I know it seems like a lot of vaccines at these visits,” Petee empathizes.

“Just know that these vaccines, combinations, and the timing at which they are given have been extensively researched and studied. We want to set your child up to build immunity before any potential disease exposures.”

Parents should prioritize required vaccines for their child to enter school and vaccines against diseases that have the potential to cause serious illness. This often includes the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis whooping cough), MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), polio and Varicella (chickenpox) vaccines.

If my child has already had the illness, do they need the vaccine?

If your child has immunity to a certain disease, talk to their primary health care provider about if it is necessary or recommended for them to still be vaccinated. Their provider can perform a blood test to check their immunity status to see if a vaccine is necessary.

What if my child is behind on the immunization schedule?

If your child is behind on their vaccine schedule, talk to their provider to determine a game plan.

“They will work with you to develop a catch-up schedule that is safe and effective. They will likely get a good chunk of the vaccines done at the initial visit, but you may need to see them every couple of weeks to get caught up,” Petee explains.

Ask any questions you have about the recommended vaccines and the proposed schedule. “I always encourage my patients to ask questions. I want everyone to be on the same page and comfortable with the plan we develop together,” Petee shares.

Your child’s provider will be able to help you come up with a plan that works best for your child and your family.

Madeline Petee, CNP
Madeline is a certified nurse practitoner (CNP) with ProMedica Physicians Health Specialists of Lenawee. View her profile.