Next month is National Immunization Awareness Month. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, childhood immunization rates have declined across the country, including in Green County. In 2019, 84% of 2-year-olds were up-to-date on their vaccinations, in 2020 that dropped to 77%, and in 2021 down to 73% of 2-year-olds were up-to-date.

Thanks to the development of vaccines, there are several diseases that have been almost forgotten about in America. Kids born in the past 1990s and early 2000s didn’t need to worry about getting chicken pox, polio, or measles — diseases that their parents or grandparents could or did contract when they were kids. 

Certain diseases are so rare now, that parents sometimes ask if vaccines are even necessary. The truth is, most diseases that can be prevented by vaccines still exist in the world, even in the United States. If a child gets vaccinated against a certain disease, like chicken pox, they will be protected against that disease if they’re exposed to it. When lots of children are vaccinated against the same disease, chicken pox in this example, it makes it even more difficult for that disease to spread. This is beneficial for children who may be unable to receive a particular vaccine due to an allergy or medical condition.

Different types of vaccines provide protection against disease in slightly different ways, but vaccines work by teaching a person’s immune system how to recognize and fight off a disease. Some vaccines require multiple doses, or booster doses, to provide the most protection against disease. Vaccines are also recommended at specific ages due to how the immune system responds to the vaccine at a particular age. All vaccines go through rigorous testing before becoming available to the public, and once they are available they are continually monitored by the CDC and the Food & Drug ADMINISTRA-TION. While vaccines can have side effects, these are usually mild or uncommon and are far less severe than the disease the vaccine was designed to prevent. It is much better to prevent a disease than to treat it after a person is infected. 

Summer is a great time to get kids of all ages up-to-date on their vaccinations. In Wisconsin, certain vaccines are required for both daycare and school entry. To learn about which vaccines are required, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/reqs.htm

Parents and guardians can talk with their child’s pediatrician about the vaccinations they need. Another option is to check the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) to see what vaccinations your child has already received, and which vaccines they’re due to receive. Go to www.dhfswir.org to access your child’s immunization history. Lastly, parents can review the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s schedule for receiving immunizations to see what vaccinations their child should receive based on their age.

Green County Public Health offers childhood immunizations to eligible families. For more information about eligibility or to schedule an appointment please call us at (608) 328-9390.

Children ages 6 months to 5 years old just recently became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, kids 5 to 11 years old can now get a COVID-19 booster dose. This is an exciting development for keeping kids safe and healthy. There are several options for parents to get their child vaccinated against COVID-19, go to vaccines.gov to find a vaccine provider near you. Most local pharmacies and health care providers are offering the vaccine, and Green County Public Health is offering walk-in clinics every week. Please visit our website to find the dates and times of our clinics: gcpublichealth.org.

Vaccines are so important for kids’ health, keeping them in school and allowing them to just be kids. We understand that parents may have questions or concerns about vaccines, and we encourage parents to talk with their trusted healthcare professionals about these questions. 

— Bridget Craker is the Public Health Educator for the Green County Public Health Department and can be reached at bcraker@greengountywi.org or 608-328-9509.