‘Historic’ number of American children have skipped essential vaccines during pandemic, CDC says

CDC director urges families to get caught up on routine vaccinations as administration amends guidance to reopen schools and childcare centres

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported "substantial declines" in paediatrician visits during the coronavirus pandemic, likely resulting in a "historic decline" of roughly 11 million doses of essential childhood vaccines compared to previous years, according to CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky.

“Another concerning way that Covid-19 is affecting the health of our nation: disrupting our ability to vaccinate children against other infectious diseases,” she told reporters on Friday.

“On-time vaccinations throughout childhood are essential because it helps to provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases,” she said. “As we work to get our children back to school we certainly do not want to encounter other preventable infectious disease outbreaks, including measles and mumps.”

The CDC has directed families and caregivers to revisit recommended vaccine schedules to get children up to date on their vaccinations and shots.

Paediatricians and healthcare officials across the US have reported drops in routine childhood vaccinations in recent weeks, from 25 to 30 per cent below average in Missouri to a 33 per cent drop in Georgia.

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The CDC has also updated its guidance for childcare centres and programs as Joe Biden’s administration pushes for school re-openings after the passage of his $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, sending billions of dollars to school systems and care workers to begin re-opening amid the public health crisis.

New guidance for pre-kindergarten programs and private and employer-provided child care centres urges children older than two years old and childcare workers continue to wear face coverings, even after they have been vaccinated. It also suggests that workers “pod” children into groups that remain with one another throughout the school day.

The guidance follows the president’s announcement that all American adults will be eligible for three Covid-19 vaccines by 1 May, as the administration averages roughly 2.2 vaccine shots per day.