This article appeared in the Detroit Free Press. Read the full story here.
The school year is approaching fast and that means children need to have their required vaccinations. Nurses say that public school students will need them, even if school will be held online.
Michigan immunizations have also decreased 44.5% during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a news release from Beaumont Health.
Beaumont Teen Health Centers will host two curbside vaccination events to ensure that these needs are met. These events will cater to children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 21, and more than one child per vehicle can be present.
Maureen Murphy, family nurse practitioner at the Beaumont Teen Health Center in River Rouge, says that teenage immunizations have dropped 65.5% in comparison to the last two years.
“That’s a tremendous decrease,” said Murphy. “It’s really showing that there’s an interruption of care for chronic conditions and prevention care, such as well-child visits and immunizations.
“That really puts you at a risk when you decline your vaccination rate, you run the risk of getting those diseases that are preventable by vaccines.”
The first event will be held July 30 at the health center in River Rouge. Patients can call 313-843-1639 to register. The second will take place August 5 in Taylor where patients can register by calling 734-942-2273.
“Our clinics are located in medically underserved areas,” said Murphy. “Trying to get to get to a primary care doctor with all the stress of transportation and paying your rent. With everything that’s going on, this is one more avenue that we can try to help.”
The children and young adults will have access to curbside COVID-19 screening prior to vaccinations, and will be given hand sanitizer and a face mask.
“We want people to be as healthy as possible going into this Fall, considering what we’ve all been through,” said Murphy.