COVID-19: Drop in Kids' Vaccines

For the period Jan. 6 through April 19, 2020, orders for noninfluenza childhood and measles-containing vaccines were down compared with a similar period in 2019, according to an MMWR study. The decline began the week after the president declared a national emergency over COVID-19 on March 13. The number of doses of measles-containing vaccines that were administered experienced a similar drop. The fall was not as steep among children aged 24 months of age and under. In a statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics president urged parents to contact their pediatricians to schedule appointments for catch-up vaccines or well-child visits.