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Enjoy Virginia’s Department of Human Resource Management’s Office of Health Benefits Newsletter: The Importance of Well Visits and Routine Immunizations.
Since March 2020, Virginia has rightfully focused public health care efforts on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. And now, with the availability of life-saving vaccines, there is hope on the horizon that Virginia can soon return to some semblance of normal.
An unfortunate consequence of this laser focus on COVID-19, combined with other related factors, is the delay or missing of well-visits and routine vaccinations in adults and children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted a significant and troubling drop-off in the delivery of essential immunizations because of the COVID-19 pandemic1.
While providing such immunizations may be more challenging under the present circumstances, the CDC emphasizes that routine vaccination remains an essential preventive care service for children, adolescents, and adults, and should not be delayed2.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has also noted this decline in immunizations for children and is strongly urging parents to no longer delay these disease preventable vaccines for their children.
As a trusted resource to your employees and their families, we encourage you to include the following information in your agency newsletters, social media and other employee communiques to help get the word out that routine immunizations are important.
Vaccines are important. While the attention has been on the COVID-19 vaccine, there are other routine, life-saving vaccines that are necessary for good health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted a significant and troubling drop-off in the delivery of essential immunizations because of the COVID-19 pandemic1. While it may be more challenging to keep up with important health care appointments and vaccines, it’s important to continue with your preventive care for children, adolescents, and adults. Call your doctor and schedule your well-visits and vaccinations today.
Having a healthy workforce that includes employees and their families, benefits us all with increased productivity and lower absenteeism. Now is the time to get back on track with vaccinations.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Routine Pediatric Vaccine Ordering and Administration — United States, 2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. May 15, 2020. Accessed June 12, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination Guidance During a Pandemic. Last reviewed June 9, 2020. Accessed June 12, 2020.