LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging parents to make sure that their children’s vaccines are up-to-date as soon as possible.
The department said that the cancellation of appointments due to the coronavirus has resulted in a decrease in immunizations.
According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, the percentage of 5-month-olds in Michigan who were fully up to date on all recommended vaccines decreased from about two-thirds during 2016-2019 to less than half in May 2020. In addition, only 53.1% of Michigan children 19 months through 35 months of age were fully immunized with recommended vaccines.
Officials say that health care providers have safety measures in place that allow children to receive the vaccines they need for protection against communicable diseases.
In a written statement, Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun stated, “Vaccines are essential. It is important for caregivers to contact their healthcare provider to get children caught up on needed vaccines.”
Parents should contact their child’s healthcare provider to find out what vaccines their child needs, discuss the safety measures put in place to protect patients and schedule an appointment.
