U.S. child vaccination rates dip during pandemic -study
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[April 22, 2022]
By Mrinalika Roy
(Reuters) - Child vaccination rates in the
United States fell during the COVID-19 pandemic as many children skipped
doctors appointments and states eased vaccine requirements during remote
learning, according to a government study released on Thursday.
During the 2020–21 school year, vaccination coverage among
kindergartners nationwide for three required vaccines was approximately
1% lower than the previous school year, according to the study conducted
by researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC).
"As schools return to in-person learning, high vaccination coverage is
necessary to continue protecting students from vaccine-preventable
diseases," the study's authors said.
The researchers looked at coverage for three commonly required vaccines:
the MMR vaccine to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella; DTaP, which
prevents diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis; and the varicella
shot for chickenpox.
Coverage for all three vaccines decreased in a majority of states to
about 94%, just under the target of 95%, the CDC said.
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![](../images/042222PIX/health11.jpg)
A vial of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is pictured
at the International Community Health Services clinic in Seattle,
Washington, U.S., March 20, 2019. Picture taken March 20, 2019.
REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Apr/22/images/ads/current/atlantabank_lda_SFARM_2022.png) “This might not sound like much,"
Georgina Peacock, acting director of CDC’s Immunization Services
Division told reporters on a call. "But it amounts to at least
35,000 more children across the United States that entered
kindergarten without documentation of complete vaccination against
common diseases like measles, whooping cough, and chickenpox.”
The study included data collected for the 2020–21
school year by state and local immunization programs in 47 states
and the District of Columbia.
The study authors noted some limitations to their data, including
variations in states' vaccine requirements and documentation
processes, non-inclusion of three states and barriers created by the
pandemic, such as the shift to virtual learning.
(Reporting by Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
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