New Data Indicates Families Are Skipping Child Vaccinations

Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 -- 12:00 PM

(WMTV) New data has indicated Monday that many families skipped or postponed vaccinations for their child in 2020, according to UW Health.

The health system cited a May 2020 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that shows a “concerning drop” in the number of routine childhood vaccinations, a result likely from safer at home orders as families opted to skip out on scheduling these appointments.

Dr. Jim Conway, a UW Health infectious disease pediatrician and medical director of the immunization program, says the drop is “troubling.”  This week is National Infant Immunization Week, so UW Health wanted to emphasize to parents the importance of vaccinating young family members.

Dr. Conway explained that vaccinating children for diseases and illnesses such as tetanus, whooping cough and meningitis can save lives.  UW Health encouraged parents to schedule routine childhood vaccinations for any child under the age of 2, plus for those over the age of 16 to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

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