It’s important to maintain vaccination schedule

Adapting to life during a pandemic has been the norm for months. We know about the importance of shelter-in-place, social distancing, wearing a face covering, PPE and practicing good hygiene. How we shop, dine out and socialize also has changed.

The COVID-19 pandemic certainly has altered our routines and habits, but one constant is the need for parents and guardians to have their children maintain an immunization schedule.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that routine vaccination is an essential preventive care service for children, adolescents and adults that should not be delayed because of the pandemic.

Throughout the coronavirus outbreak many parents understandably have been hesitant to take their children to their health care provider for routine vaccinations and screenings. Pediatricians worry that this trend could lead to outbreaks of other types of childhood illnesses such as measles and whooping cough.

As a result of COVID-19-related reductions in people accessing vaccination services, it is even more important to assess the vaccination status of all patients at each visit to their physician.

All vaccines due or overdue should be administered according to the recommended CDC immunization schedules. This provides protection as soon as possible while also minimizing the number of healthcare visits needed to complete the vaccination.

Healthcare providers may schedule immunization appointments differently based on their own social distancing standards. Others may implement other options, such as CVMG’s Drive-Thru Immunization Clinic that was held in the parking lot of its Fontana location on Aug. 1.

Consult your physician about the best and most safe way to maintain your child’s immunization schedule.