Back to School AND Back to the Doctor During National Immunization Awareness Month

About 35,000 fewer kindergarten children were vaccinated during the 2020-21 school year compared to the previous year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One reason for the drop: the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine doctors’ visits and routine screenings for kids.

With kids heading back to school and with August being National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), the Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease wants everyone to know that there is no better time than now to get kids back on a regular vaccination schedule with their physician.

Vaccines are proven to help protect against infectious diseases such as chickenpox, influenza, polio, hepatitis, measles, pertussis, COVID-19, monkeypox and many more. Staying up-to-date on all immunizations helps ensure that everyone is protected against certain illnesses and helps to prevent the spread of these diseases to others in the community – that includes kids and their classmates.

This year, NIAM serves as an important reminder to “catch up” on any immunizations that may have been missed due to healthcare disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Families should speak with their child’s pediatrician to get caught up on any routine well-child visits and recommended vaccines. This can include getting vaccinated against COVID-19, which remains a risk with new variants. Talk with your child’s pediatrician and learn more here.

Vaccines are the best way to keep us all healthy. Together, we can prevent the spread of infectious diseases and protect our loved ones from potentially serious illness.