Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, Connecticut Children’s and its partner pediatric practices have worked around the clock to provide a safe environment for patient care — including making sure that kids are getting the vaccines they need.
Here, Catherine Wiley, MD, division head of Primary Care at Connecticut Children’s, shares an important reminder to parents.
Many vaccine-preventable diseases are especially dangerous for young children, so it’s important not to wait to get your child’s vaccines. Even small delays leave young babies vulnerable.
Even during the height of shelter-at-home orders, healthcare authorities like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considered well-child visits and vaccinations essential care—and reminded parents to stick to their child’s regular vaccine schedule. The takeaway? Don’t delay.
Medical experts agree: don’t Delay Your Child’s Vaccines.
Vaccines can prevent more than a dozen serious diseases. Without vaccines, your child is at risk for getting seriously ill—including pain, disability and even death— from diseases like measles
and whooping cough.
Vaccines are essential to keep your child healthy.
The COVID-19 crisis has shown us how dangerous a disease can become when there’s a widespread outbreak. It’s a reminder to make sure your child gets the vaccines that are available (including the COVID-19 vaccine, as soon as they’re eligible).
Even in the U.S., there are still outbreaks of serious, vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, mumps, whooping cough and polio. Unfortunately, these numbers have risen in recent years. (And diseases eliminated in the U.S. can infect unvaccinated babies if travelers bring the diseases from other countries.) If your child hasn’t been vaccinated, their risk is rising, too.
Immunization rates fell in the U.S. and worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic and have not fully recovered—an unfortunate fact. This increases the chances that your child could be exposed to others who are not fully immunized and could therefore spread a contagious illness to your child.
As masking and social distancing requirements are relaxed, children who are not protected by vaccines will be more vulnerable to diseases such as measles.
Vaccines help prevent
future pandemics.
Vaccines Are More Important Now Than Ever.
Don’t Delay Your Child’s Vaccines—They’re More Important Than Ever
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Still have questions? Talk to your child’s doctor. We’re here to be a trusted source of information for your family—including questions about vaccines, and how to safely navigate this next chapter of the coronavirus pandemic.
Bottom line? If your child is overdue for a vaccine, call your doctor today to set up an appointment.
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Connecticut Children’s is dedicated to improving the physical and emotional health of children through family-centered care, research, education and advocacy. We embrace discovery, teamwork, integrity and excellence in all that we do.
FOR PATIENTS & FAMILIES
Contact Us
Locations
Patients & Families
Find a Doctor
Referrals
Research
Education and Training
Careers
Job Shadows & Internships
FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
Cancer & Blood Disorders
Cardiology / Cardiac Surgery
Ear, Nose & Throat
Gastroenterology
Orthopedics
Pediatric Surgery
Sports Medicine
FEATURED SPECIALTIES
Make a Gift
SUPPORT US