Here’s What Parents Need To Know About Childhood Vaccination Amid COVID-19

The outbreak of the coronavirus has brought many things to a standstill, including child health care. The anxiety and fear associated with the pandemic have many parents questioning if it’s safe to take their children to get their routine vaccinations amidst such a stressful situation. But experts warn against delaying your child’s vaccinations as it could lead to the outbreak of preventable diseases in the future. It’s natural to deal with a sense of uncertainty when it comes to childhood vaccinations amid COVID-19. Continue reading our post as we answer all your questions about your child’s health care visits and immunizations during the pandemic.

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One of the main concerns among parents is if their children could catch the virus during a pediatric visit. Parents want to keep their children safe at all costs. Hence they think it’s better to avoid going to the doctor’s clinic. Most hospitals and doctors take extra care and precaution to ensure a safe environment for everyone by following the necessary guidelines of cleaning and disinfection. They also screen patients who might show symptoms of the virus. If you are concerned about your child’s safety, you could call the clinic or hospital in advance to check if an in-person visit is necessary. You could also ask about the safety measures in place and their policy about wearing masks (1).

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Can You Delay Your Child’s Vaccinations?

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If you are thinking about delaying your child’s vaccination until the pandemic is over, it might not be the safest way to go about it. Vaccination is an important health service that ensures that your child has a healthy and safe childhood. Routine vaccines help prevent illnesses and lasting health problems, some of which prove to be fatal. Most doctor’s offices have a schedule set up for shots, based on when the vaccinations will be most effective for babies and children. So, as parents, it is important to stick to this plan (2).

While coronavirus is scary, missing your child’s routine vaccinations can prove to be a greater threat to their wellbeing. So while we are waiting for an effective vaccine against COVID-19, it is also important to protect your child against several illnesses that could easily be prevented by vaccines. Staying up-to-date with your child’s immunizations helps prevent the following diseases (3):

Measles: Measles is a highly contagious disease that could result in encephalitis, pneumonia, and other health complications requiring one to seek hospital care.

Mumps: Mumps is a viral infection which primarily affects the salivary glands (4). Severe complications include swelling in the brain, spinal cord, and other body parts. It could also result in hearing loss, heart problems, and miscarriages if contracted while pregnant.

Whooping cough: Also known as pertussis, this highly contagious infection affects the respiratory tract. Infants who are less than 12 months old have the highest risk of developing severe complications from the virus, resulting in death (5).

Flu: The influenza virus easily spreads from one person to another, causing respiratory illnesses. It can also lead to several complications and death. Children are most likely to get sick from the flu (6).

Delay In Routine Check-Ups

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Immunization is essential for your child’s health. However, ever since the pandemic, parents have stopped taking their kids for pediatric visits in fear of contracting the virus. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns against the delay in vaccination and stresses the importance of routine vaccinations, especially for children below the age of 2 years (7).

If you notice any symptoms in your child that may not be related to COVID-19 such as rashes, stomach aches, or behavioral concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your pediatrician and discuss the health issues concerning your child. If your child shows any symptoms related to COVID-19, call your doctor and explain the symptoms first and follow their recommendation.

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