What we know about why some kids are missing routine vaccinations – CBC
Health experts say some kids have just ‘never caught up’ during the COVID-19 pandemic
Aug 19, 2022
Some children across the country have fallen behind on their routine immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, with vaccination rates dropping off by several percentage points in some provinces.
Pediatricians and other health officials say the decrease in routine immunizations is concerning as cases of polio — a vaccine-preventable disease — emerge in other parts of the world.
“As we move forward through the pandemic, we really have to focus on children maintaining and getting these routine immunizations that otherwise before we sort of took for granted,” said Dr. Sloane Freeman, a pediatrician at St. Michael’s Hospital and an assistant professor in the University of Toronto’s pediatrics department.
Some experts say there could be several reasons why someone isn’t vaccinated, but don’t think hesitancy is the main culprit. Those who spoke to CBC News suspect school closures during the pandemic, public health resources and staff reallocated and a greater focus on COVID-19 vaccines may be behind the dip.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/kids-missing-routine-vaccinations-1.6555077
