PULASKI COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS) – As children across the Heartland prepare to return to school, one local health department is urging parents to get not only their children vaccinated, but the whole family, too.
Shauna Rhyne is with the Southern 7 Health District in southern Illinois.
She said vaccination rates have dropped significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The number of children getting vaccinated for the new kindergarten school year has certainly decreased during the COVID pandemic,” Rhine said.
But Rhine said it’s not just children who need to be up to date on vaccinations.
“We’ve also seen a decline in people keeping their own vaccinations up to date,” she explained, “and we encourage families who are starting to schedule vaccinations for their children to also keep themselves up to date.”
She said there are three things to remember when booking a vaccination appointment.
“Gather the necessary paperwork, get that information from the school. Then, make sure the vaccines are available at the clinic when you book your appointment. Finally, make sure your child has all the vaccines they need.”
Rhine said it’s important to know which specific vaccinations children need before returning to school, and that can vary depending on where you live.
“Every state is a little bit different. In Illinois, we have a set number of vaccines that we need to get, but it really depends on your child’s age and what grade level they’re going into.”
The CDC has also named August “National Immunization Awareness Month,” urging people to stay up to date on vaccinations.
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