With schools set to resume soon, state health officials are concerned many children are not up to date on their vaccinations. During the early portion of the pandemic, many elective medical procedures were put on hold and State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says that dropped the rate of vaccinations.
“We’re very concerned,” said Dr. Welch. “Those diseases don’t go away because we have a pandemic.”
Welch says not every kid needs a vaccine every year and the best thing to do is to ask your child’s pediatrician what may be needed.
“See whether your child needs vaccinations, A to go back to school or B to keep them up to date,” said Welch.
Welch says a media campaign will begin soon to get the word out on staying up to date on vaccinations.
“We are working with the Academy of Pediatrics in Louisiana and we are going to have a big push about back to school and reminding parents and school children that they really do need these vaccines as part of routine care,” said Welch.
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