It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for physicians, allied healthcare providers, parents, teens, and children. One outcome of the pandemic is a dramatic decline in routine vaccination and primary care well visits.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that orders for vaccines have declined sharply since the emergency declaration. In fact, a Commonwealth Fund recent study showed a 71% drop in healthcare visits for children and adolescents 6-17 years old.¹ These declines in vaccination put children and communities at greater risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. We’re all part of the essential effort to ensure adolescents and young adults stay safe and healthy!
Prepare Now For the 2021-22 School Year!
As more people become eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, the window is closing on planning ahead for routine vaccinations.
- Leverage reminder/recall methods to identify appropriate patients
- Schedule routine or catch-up vaccinations now before patients may become eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine
- Clearly communicate office safety measures and appointment availability to parents
- Check the chart—use every opportunity to vaccinate.
- The American Academy of Family Physicians’ Improving Vaccination Rates Campaign Tools
- The Unity™ Consortium (United for Adolescent Vaccination) Provider and Family Toolkits, Video, and Patient Education.
These resources provided by both private and public sectors aim to eliminate misinformation and provide the right tools to ensure a future that is free of preventable diseases for your patients.
Reference available online.