Routine childhood vaccinations down during pandemic

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today reported a notable drop in routine childhood vaccines ordered and administered through the federal Vaccines for Children program during the COVID-19 emergency. "As social distancing requirements are relaxed, children who are not protected by vaccines will be more vulnerable to diseases such as measles," the authors said. "In response, continued coordinated efforts between health care providers and public health officials at the local, state, and federal levels will be necessary to achieve rapid catch-up vaccination."