WA Childhood Immunization Rates Fell Last Year Amid COVID

Seattle WA

16 August, 2021

3:46 PM

Description

OLYMPIA, WA — As Washington students prepare to return to the classroom, state health officials are urging parents to make sure their children's immunizations are up-to-date. According to the Washington State Department of Health, many school-aged kids missed their recommended shots in 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning. The state updated its dashboard Monday and flagged a particularly notable fall in vaccination rates among the pre-teen age group. "I'm concerned about how many of our Washington kids are vulnerable to serious but preventable diseases," said Michele Roberts, Washington's acting assistant secretary of health. "We need to get children caught up now on vaccinates they missed. They are headed back to school soon, and flu activity often picks up in the fall, so let's get them protected before they're exposed." Overall, the DOH said immunizations rates were relatively steady among toddlers, young children and teenagers. However, there was a drop-off among children ages 4 to 6 years old and a steep decrease among 11 and 12-year-olds. Officials found the most significant decline for the Rdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough and is required before seventh grade. Here are some of the biggest declines for kids ages 11 - 12: An 11% decrease in Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough) vaccine, from 60.3% in 2019 to 49.2% in 2020. One dose of Tdap is required to enter 7th grade in Washington state.An 8.4% decrease in meningococcal vaccine, from 50.7% in 2019 to 42.3% in 2020.A 5.6% decrease in HPV vaccine, from 42.0% in 2019 to 36.4% in 2020. The HPV vaccine prevents several types of cancer and is more effective when given at the recommended age.A 6.0% decrease in the proportion receiving the 1:1:1 series (1 dose of Tdap, 1 or more doses of meningococcal vaccine, and 1 or more doses of HPV vaccine) from 39.4% in 2019 to 33.4% in 2020. "August being National Immunization Awareness Month reminds us this is a great time of year to make that vaccine appointment with your child's provider and get them caught up," Roberts said. "It's also convenient to protect your older ones against COVID-19 since kids who are 12 and up can get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the rest of their vaccines. Let's get everyone back to school safely after the disruption of the last two school years knowing we're protecting them from outbreaks of many diseases." Dashboards showing childhood immunization coverage rates by county are available on the DOH website.