As Iowans continue to push through the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain their new sense of normalcy, parents and guardians of school-aged children are reminded that annual physicals and back-to-school immunizations are still important. According to a report released by the Iowa Department of Public Health, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, well child visits have declined significantly, causing a delay in required and recommended immunizations, health screenings, and referrals. Statewide, there was a 55.5% decrease in the administration of non-influenza vaccines to children ages 4-18 years during March and April 2020 compared to the same months in 2019. April had a 75.0% decrease from the previous year, while March had a 37.1% decrease. Compared to other child and adult age categories, the largest percent differences were among 11-12 year olds and 13-18 year olds.

¢â‚¬Å“Declining immunization rates can cause additional health challenges for our children and second outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases in our community, ¢â‚¬ � said Benton County Public Health Director Katie Cox.

Your healthcare provider ¢â‚¬â„¢s office may look a little different as we continue to keep our community safe from COVID-19. Clinics and hospitals throughout our community are taking many preventative measures to ensure the health and safety for all. Safety measures include:

· Screening patients and visitors upon entry into the hospital or clinic.

· Separating patients out spatially and/or limiting time spent in waiting areas.

· Scheduling routine visits and sick visits at different times of the day or different locations.

· Using virtual visits for non-urgent health concerns.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to schedule their children ¢â‚¬â„¢s well visits, back-to-school and sports physicals now. Many children are required to have vaccines before entering school and without the proper medical documentation of vaccines; this can hinder students from starting school on time.

¢â‚¬Å“Take the time now and schedule your child ¢â‚¬â„¢s well child and immunization appointment, ¢â‚¬ � said Cox. ¢â‚¬Å“Our community relies on all of us for our health and well-being. ¢â‚¬ �

For more information on childhood immunizations, please visit https://idph.iowa.gov/immtb/immunization