The CDC report on vaccination coverage among kindergarten students in 2021-22 is out and CALIFORNIA IS IN THE TOP 9! However, WE CAN DO BETTER. Who doesn’t want to see California at the very top … nationwide, all-round NUMERO UNO ?
California’s best performance was in vaccinating children for varicella. We stood fourth, behind West Virginia, New York and Rhode Island.
We did slightly less well in vaccinating children against measles, mumps and rubella. We stood fifth, behind New York (including NYC), Rhode Island, Maine and West Virginia.
We came in 6th for polio vaccinations behind Louisiana, Nebraska, New York (including NYC), Rhode Island, West Virginia and Maine.
And when it came the DTaP against diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis, California slumped to 9th place behind New York (including NYC), Rhode Island, Nebraska, West Virginia, Maine, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
“You MUST do better,” is what the CDC report is telling every state in America. Overall, the numbers look good, but for the past three years the rates for kindergarten student vaccinations have been declining.
According to the CDC, 93% of incoming kindergarten students had all of their required vaccines for the 2021-2022 school year. Sounds good? Well yes, but … for the 2020-2021 year, 94% had all their vaccinations and for 2019-20, 95% had all their vaccinations.
It’s easy to blame the falling percentages on the pandemic, but the CDC says that doesn’t tell the whole story. Most schools in America were back to in-person learning in 2021-2022 so vaccination coverage should have seen a return to pre-pandemic level. Doctors worry that misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine has spread to other vaccines. If this is the case, it’s a very dangerous trend.
Recently, cases of measles were reported all across America. A vaccine that prevents measles has been available since 1963. Sixty years on, there is NO REASON any child should fall ill with measles — except failure to get the vaccination. And by the way, measles can not only make a kid very sick, it can spin off into some life-threatening complications.
The flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are all highly contagious respiratory infections caused by viruses: The flu by influenza virus, COVID-19 by SARS-CoV-2 virus, and RSV by respiratory syncytial virus. Did you know that you can get all of them at the same time? They’re out there and children can be exposed to them any time, not just in the winter. Obviously, vaccinations against these viruses are life-savers for kids — and yet vaccination rates for kids are low when it comes to covid and flu.
Parents, covid and flu vaccines are available and they’re FREE. Just bring your child in and get the protection.
In a widely reported interview, Dr Tochi Iroku–Malize, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundations, urged doctors “Remind your patients that vaccines are safe, effective, and save lives and we’re trying to build that community of immunity.” When we remember that nationwide, the kindergarten population is about 3.8 million children, then having about 7 per cent of them without full vaccinations means approximately 250,000 children at risk. Even one child at risk is too many. Being sick is bad enough, but being sick and missing out on all the important foundational learning kids get in kindergarten and the first few years of school makes being sick even worse.
So, if a child didn’t get his or her vaccinations at the right time does that mean they have just missed the bus forever? NO!
It’s best if children receive the necessary vaccinations at the right time, but if they didn’t, the problem can be fixed. There is a range of acceptable ages for many vaccines. Their parents should consult the child’s doctor. He will assess all the circumstances (the child’s health in general and other circumstances) and work out how to get them back on track.
Often, combination vaccines are used so that children receive fewer injections. There is a catch-up schedule and modifications can be made to fit any situation.
Parents, if your child has missed vaccinations, DON’T THINK IT’S TOO LATE. ACT NOW TO FILL THE GAP.
SIMI PHARMACY stocks most of the childhood vaccinations – MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), polio, VAR (varicella), and influenza type a and b. If we don’t have it, we’ll order it for you. Through the federal Vaccines For Children (VFC) program, these vaccines are available FREE for all children, newborn through 18 years.
If your problem is getting a doctor’s advice on getting a catch-up vaccination, SIMI PHARMACY can help you with that too
SIMI PHARMACY
for childhood vaccines
CALL 855-780-3855
or just WALK IN
1357 E. Los Angeles Ave. # C
Simi Valley, CA 93065
9:30 am to 6 pm
