Has Your Child Missed Routine Vaccinations?
Article by Desiree Myers, RN, Child Care Health Consultant at Brightside Up
While the release of the COVID-19 vaccine for adults and children came as a great relief, the side effects of COVID-19 precautions have, for some children, delayed or altogether thwarted the administration of other lifesaving and routinely administered inoculations. So, as we continue to navigate an uncertain future that still requires masks, COVID tests, and social distancing, it is important to get our children caught up on missed vaccines.
Just a week after COVID 19 was declared a national emergency, a noticeable decline in routine vaccine orders began. To put a number on the decline, in New York City alone, routine vaccine doses administered to children under 24 months old declined from nearly 40,000 doses in January of 2020 to barely 15,000 doses in March. Although the numbers have begun to slowly increase, the number of doses administered isn’t where it should be by now. The good news is, it is possible to catch up.
Catching up on immunizations, although a long process, is simple - just call your pediatrician.
If you have an issue with insurance or finances, there are programs in place to help. New York State’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) program can help children if they are enrolled in Medicaid, uninsured or underinsured. Contacting the New York State Department of Health is another way of getting support for a vaccine catch-up. The CDC also has a suggested catch-up schedule attached to their recommended childhood vaccine list.
Below are additional resources for vaccine catch-up questions, as well as resources on required vaccinations for NY State school enrollment.
New York State Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program
Phone: 1-800-543-7468
Email: nyvfc@health.ny.gov
Fax: (518) 449-6912
NYSDOH Bureau of Immunization
Phone: 518-473-4437
Email: immunize@health.ny.gov.
2021-22 School Year New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance: https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2370.pdf