By William Schaffner, MD
For
– Beyond the effects of the virus, the COVID-19 epidemic has had a significant impact on our health and well-being. Nearly every community has seen delayed routine care and postponement of elective surgeries. Routine vaccinations have dropped significantly among all age groups due to closed clinics and healthcare offices. Fear of contracting COVID-19 has also contributed to closed healthcare offices.
Recent research has shown that US vaccination rates have plunged dramatically since the COVID-19 outbreak. The alarming drop in vaccination rates among older adults was 83 percent, while those aged 19 to 49 saw drops of over 60%. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that Michigan’s infants aged 5 months and under are not up to date with recommended vaccines. My colleagues from the US confirm these stories. They are concerned that their patients are not getting recommended vaccines.
As the country transitions to a “safer at home”Approach, now is the right time to get caught up on missed medical visits. A decline in vaccination rates is a threat to public safety. However, there are strong opportunities to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, flu, and influenza. We must not delay life-saving vaccines and encourage patients and healthcare professionals to make the necessary steps to use all available vaccines in the United States.
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is leading a national Keep Up The RatesCampaign with almost 100 partners to urge all people to get recommended vaccines that were delayed due to the pandemic. Multi-media campaign is being led by national experts and top public health agencies to reach those most at-risk of not getting vaccines or suffering from complications from vaccine-preventable disease. Digital hub contains information and resources. It also includes a public service announcement video that can be shared in English or Spanish. This is to encourage everyone involved to make sure they are up to date on all vaccine recommendations.
Immunization protects entire communities. Individuals who cannot get vaccinated because of underlying health conditions can rely on their community immunity to protect them. If the recommended vaccines are not being updated in communities, vulnerable populations will be at greater risk for serious infectious diseases. It is essential to be current with vaccine recommendations in order to maintain our health, as well as protect those around you who are most at risk from serious complications caused by vaccine-preventable disease.
Even if they aren’t vaccinated, an outbreak of vaccine-preventable disease can cause serious complications or even death. The US’s ability to handle other infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, will be severely affected by the outbreaks.
Vaccines are an effective and important public health tool that can prevent many diseases throughout the life span. For example, two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine provide 97 percent protection and flu vaccinations can reduce the risk of flu and related complications by up to 60 percent. To see the immense role vaccines play in protecting public and community health, and ultimately giving people the confidence to resume normal activities like school and work, look no further than the urgent need to develop COVID-19 vaccine.
Telemedicine has made it possible to provide some preventive and sick care. However, vaccines must still be administered in person. There are many ways that healthcare offices and pharmacies can provide safe environments for patients to receive vaccines. Healthcare professionals who have been trained to minimize the risk of transmitting communicable disease are equipped with personal protective equipment. Social distancing is also a standard in these environments. To reduce the spread of virus, common areas and exam rooms are regularly cleaned. “room”In many cases, the parking lot has been converted to an area for patients who need vaccines.
We need your help to spread the campaign messages. Please join us in encouraging family, friends and patients of all ages, including their children, to keep up-to-date with all recommended vaccines.
We can all work together to make our communities healthy and look forward to one day adding COVID-19 as a vaccine-preventable disease to the growing list. Listen to this podcast to learn more about how you can help maintain the rates of all recommended vaccines in the COVID-19 pandemic. The Schaffner Report podcast.
William Schaffner MD is the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases Medical Director.
