Published July 21, 2023
Over the past few years, many children have missed routine healthcare check-ups and vaccinations because of the pandemic. As a response to this decline, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has launched a campaign (Let’s Catch Up) to catch up on well-child visits and vaccines from now through the end of September.
Well-child visits with a healthcare provider are important, for a number of reasons. First, they can track your child’s growth and monitor developmental milestones. Second, these visits give parents the opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have about their child’s growth and development. And lastly, they provide an opportunity to keep your child on track by getting scheduled, age-appropriate vaccines to prevent serious illnesses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has data that shows vaccinations for those entering kindergarten has steadily declined the past two school years from 95% to 93%. Vaccines help protect children and other unvaccinated individuals in the community from diseases that can spread quickly (are highly contagious). These diseases can make people extremely sick, or even result in death. Children who are not vaccinated are more likely to get diseases, such as measles and whooping cough, and can spread them quickly to their family and friends. In fact, recently, there have been more cases of these diseases in communities with low vaccination rates.
Here's what you can do: Schedule an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider. Discuss and growth and development concerns you may have. Review the vaccination schedule with your child’s doctor. Discuss which vaccines are appropriate for your child based on their age (birth through 6 years; ages 7 to 18). If they missed recommended vaccines, develop a plan with your healthcare provider to get the needed vaccines to get your child back on track. The most important thing a parent can do is help keep their child healthy.
