Ohio physicians, health care leaders urge parents to get their kids vaccinated, ask their doctors questions
Pediatricians and health care leaders from across Ohio Oct. 15 reminded parents that their offices are open and they’re eager to answer questions, as they urged residents to get vaccinated before the coming holiday season.
The latest numbers from the Ohio Department of Health show immunization rates falling and non-medical school waiver rates increasing, and now well above the national average.
Health care leaders organized by the Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics offered parents a friendly reminder that vaccines can keep their kids safe, and that their local physician is more than happy to answer any questions they might have about immunizations.
“We know there’s conflicting information out there and we want parents – and everyone in Ohio to know two things; first vaccines are safe and effective, and we’re here to help,” said Bob Frenck, MD, a pediatrician and Medical Director of Immunization Programs for the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “The doctor’s office is a judgment-free zone. We hope if you do have questions that you ask them. We’ll do our absolute best to answer them, and we’ll do our absolute best to keep you and your children healthy.”
Pediatricians are proud to be trusted community doctors, here to give parents all the facts to keep their children safe. They shared three things every parent should know about vaccines.
• Vaccines are safe, and they are much, much safer than the diseases themselves;
• Vaccines are effective, preventing serious illness and death even if sickness still occurs; and
• Children need vaccinations even though the diseases have become less common.
“Vaccines work by helping the body identify potential infections, so that your own immune system can fight diseases faster and more effectively when exposed,” said Tiffany Haddad-Azzi, an Ohio pharmacist, and the Manager of Clinical Pharmacy Operations at Buckeye Health Plan. “They go through rigorous, ongoing scrutiny long after clinical trials conclude.”
Even the healthiest child can get sick and even die from what many consider everyday normal illnesses like influenza, chickenpox and measles.
The U.S. had eliminated measles in 2000, but cases began to spike again in 2019 due to vaccine hesitancy. (per CDC) Ohio experienced a measles outbreak just before the start of this school year.
"Ohio is where we research, create, and deploy the cures that keep families healthy, and that starts with healthy kids,” said Eddie Pauline, President and CEO of Ohio Life Sciences. “Healthy kids become the skilled workforce that powers more than 200,000 life sciences jobs across our state. Vaccines deliver for our families and for our economy."