June 02, 2020 State Health Department and state chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics encourage parents to keep children up to date on vaccinations and routine wellness visits

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The Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (LA AAP) are offering parents support and guidance during the uncertain and unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to keep their children healthy through routine vaccinations and wellness visits.

State data as well as data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show a sharp drop in vaccine orders from January through April. This drop in routine vaccinations and wellness visits is not unexpected due to the threat of COVID-19 and necessary mitigation measures to control the spread. However, it is important to keep routine checks and vaccinations up to date as vaccinations protect from many other preventable diseases and decrease the risk for disease outbreaks.

“As we work to reopen our economies, maintaining routine immunization during the pandemic is critical especially for children 24 months or younger, pregnant women, people of all ages with chronic health conditions and seniors,” said Dr. Frank Welch, medical director for the LDH’s immunization program. “Many major health professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the CDC and World Health Organization have issued guidelines to safely remain up to date on immunizations.”

The Department and LA AAP offer the following advice to parents seeking to keep their children up to date on their vaccinations and well visits and stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Over 740 healthcare providers participate in the Louisiana Vaccines for Children Program. In the United States, no child is unvaccinated because of a family’s inability to pay. Contact your healthcare provider or check the LDH webpage on how you can safely keep your family current with recommended vaccinations. 

Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Interim Secretary Drew Maranto

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