Immunization Awareness Month is winding down, but it’s never too late to get caught up on routine vaccines. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is concerned that individuals got behind on their routine checkups and vaccinations due to the pandemic.
The return to school and the workplace makes it more important than ever to get back on track with routine vaccinations, according to MDHHS.
Michigan’s vaccination rate declined during the pandemic. The Michigan Care Improvement Registry, or MCIR, reported that only 54.7% of Michigan children aged between 19 and 35 months were fully immunized with recommended vaccinations.
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS said, “Vaccinating on time and following CDC’s recommended schedule is the best protection against serious diseases including COVID-19, influenza, hepatitis A, cancers caused by HPV and measles. We have the power to protect not only ourselves, but our entire community when we vaccinate on time.”
MDHHS encourages Michiganders to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Interactive Vaccine Guide, which provides information on the vaccines recommended during pregnancy and throughout a child’s life. Adults 19 and older can take the CDC’s Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool to find out which vaccines they may need.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
