At the beginning of the pandemic, many health care systems discouraged non-urgent medical visits as an initial measure of infection prevention, taking cautious steps to keep patients safe while navigating an unknown disease.
As states across the country begin to reopen in phases, hospitals and doctor offices have protocols in place to help keep patients safe and limit their need to delay care. In fact, in some cases delaying care can lead to negative sometimes serious health consequences.
Vaccination has greatly reduced the burden of infectious diseases among children, especially preschoolers in the U.S. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently is reporting a decline in child vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a pediatrician, I want to encourage all families to bring in their kids for vaccines and well visits. Clinics remain a safe place for children and their families to get the care they need, including acute care for sick visits.
Social distancing and wearing a face mask remain as important as ever, but we know that many people are starting to congregate in public again, some childhood sports teams are practicing, and back-to-school will be here in a few weeks. COVID-19 should absolutely remain top of mind, but we can't forget about other preventive measures like staying up to date on vaccinations, which are a key to both our health as individuals and the general public's health.
Here are a few important facts about vaccinations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC):
- Some once-common diseases, such as polio and diphtheria, are quite rare in the United States today due to decades of vaccinations.
- Some vaccines are only necessary to take once (often during childhood), while others such as the flu vaccine are recommended to be taken annually or every time you may be exposed to a certain pathogen. Your primary care provider can give guidance on the timing and need for each vaccine.
- Getting vaccinations can benefit the person who receives them, as well as protect vulnerable members of the community. Even though a young, healthy person may be able to fight a certain disease, others with underlying health conditions may not be able to.
- Vaccines not only protect today's children, but future generations as well, by keeping major diseases at bay that could take decades or even centuries to eradicate.
- Vaccines are part of an overall proactive wellness approach that helps people save precious time and money by decreasing the chances of contracting certain life-threatening diseases.
The need for screenings and vaccinations varies from person to person, and it will typically evolve for that person as they grow older or as other circumstances change. Make sure to see your primary care provider at least annually to discuss what's best for your personal health.
While we fight COVID-19 and wait for a vaccine to be available for the public, we encourage social distancing, avoiding large crowds and wearing a mask in public places.
Olga Brea Pena, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician at SSM Health Medical Group Pediatrics, 3348 American Ave., in Jefferson City. For an appointment with Dr. Brea, call 573-761-7210.