As the back-to-school season approaches, health officials are encouraging parents to prioritize their children’s vaccinations.
According to a report on News Center 7 at 5:00 p.m., Ohio has seen a surge in preventable viruses such as measles and whooping cough.
Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, expressed concern over the increasing number of vaccine-preventable illnesses in Ohio. He stated that these illnesses have resulted in tragic cases, and the situation is alarming.
An SUV collided with an 8-year-old girl, dragging her for half a mile down the road. The incident led to the arrest of a man.
Health officials are expressing worry about the possibility of children falling ill with life-threatening diseases during the upcoming school year.
Dr. Vanderhoff emphasized that failing to vaccinate a child could result in severe illness, lifelong disability or even death. “The reality is that a child will suffer unnecessarily, and we could have prevented it,” he stated.
According to Dr. Vanderhoff, the primary motivation behind urging parents to vaccinate their children is to keep them safe from illnesses. However, health officials recognize that vaccine hesitancy has increased in recent times.
Dr. Paul Offit, a renowned immunologist and vaccine expert, acknowledged that the pandemic had a significant impact.
The rate of Kindergarten Vaccination in Ohio experienced a significant decline both before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the previous academic year of 2019-2020, the vaccination rate was almost 90%. However, in the last school year, it decreased to slightly over 86%.
According to Dr. Offit, Covid-19 vaccine mandates are playing a role in the increase in vaccination rates.
According to Dr. Offit, the government’s actions were viewed as excessively controlling, which resulted in strong opposition from the public.
Offit, having witnessed the destructive impact of preventable diseases, seeks to persuade parents who are hesitant about vaccines by sharing personal anecdotes.
Dr. Offit expressed his sadness about parents who put their children at unnecessary risk. He empathized with the situation as he witnesses the consequences of such risks while working in a hospital.
This school year, the State Health Department aims to ensure that children remain in the classroom and avoid hospitalizations.