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Seems hard to believe, but the summer break is winding down and back to school time has almost returned.
Which might be why this is National Immunization Awareness Month, to stress the critical role vaccines play to help keep the public healthy.
So the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging Michigan residents and families to get caught up and stay up-to-date on vaccines against diseases and make sure residents receive vaccinations on time.
Global immunization efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives, with the majority saved being infants at an estimated 101 million, according to a news release from MDHHS.
State health officials encourage residents to talk to their health care provider about recommended vaccines for themselves and their families.
“As we start getting our families ready for school in the fall, it’s a good time to catch up on routine vaccinations,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Vaccinating on time and following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended schedule is the best protection against serious diseases like measles, hepatitis A, polio and cancers caused by HPV. Together we can protect Michigan children, families and communities.”
Unfortunately, some parents have become lax, skeptical, even hostile about these vaccines despite their proven track records. An “anti-vaxxer” movement has grown in the U.S., initially triggered by opposition to the COVID-19 shots but now extending to challenging what had been routine immunizations for children.
According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, as of March, only 66.9% of Michigan children 19 through 35 months of age were fully immunized with recommended vaccines. This is a significant decrease from March 2019 when 73.5% of children in this age group were vaccinated.
In turn, the U.S. has seen a rise in measles, with more than 200 cases already reported this year, compared with 59 in all of 2023, 121 in 2022 and only 13 in 2020.
MDHHS recommends residents go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Interactive Vaccine Guide, which offers details on vaccines for children, adolescents, adults and pregnant persons. Adults age 19 and older can use the CDC’s Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool to determine their vaccination needs.
As part of this recognition month, MDHHS joins the Franny Strong Foundation, its partner on the I Vaccinate campaign, and other advocates across the nation to spread the message that vaccines are one of the safest ways to protect health and lower risks for certain diseases and cancers.