28 de septiembre de 2020
The Problem
After the pandemic declaration in March, office visits for immunizations among Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) members significantly dropped between March and May compared with the number of visits reported during the same period in 2019.
Parents nationwide have cancelled pediatric check-ups. Immunization levels for vaccine-preventable diseases have plummeted, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Well-child office visits have decreased 50%1 
y doses distributed2 through the federally funded Vaccines for Children program have dropped significantly.
El centro móvil de atención (MAC, en inglés) de World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have reported3 a decline in the number of children receiving life-saving vaccines around the world.
The Impact
“Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools in the history of public health, and more children are now being immunized than ever before,” says Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general. “But the pandemic has put those gains at risk. The avoidable suffering and death caused by children missing out on routine immunizations could be far greater than COVID-19 itself.”4
What We Are Doing About It
Recognizing the urgency, BCBSNM teams are using tools and pilot programs to help identify opportunities to increase member immunization rates. We are mapping vaccination rates geographically, mobilizing our Care Vans to offer vaccination clinics where they are needed most and reaching out to members who have missed or delayed vaccines for their children. Pero no podemos hacerlo solos.
What You Can Do About It
As a trusted health care professional, you play a vital role in educating parents about the importance of vaccination.
- Ensure your patients are up to date on all vaccinations
- Encourage parents with children under two years old to make appointments to vaccinate their children.
- Share your pandemic safety protocol to ease their concerns and increase their comfort in visiting your office
- Discuss options for vaccinations with the parents of your patients
- Compartir material5 with parents that give solid evidence for the efficacy and safety of vaccines
Go Deeper
Learn more during National Immunization Awareness Month6 .
El material de arriba se ofrece a título informativo y no pretende sustituir el juicio médico independiente de un facultativo. Se recomienda a los médicos y otros profesionales de la salud que apliquen su mejor criterio médico basándose en toda la información disponible y en el estado del paciente para determinar el mejor tratamiento. Las referencias a fuentes u organizaciones de terceros no constituyen una representación, garantía o respaldo de estas organizaciones. Cualquier pregunta relacionada con esas organizaciones debe enviarse directamente a esas organizaciones. La descripción de un servicio o tratamiento en este material no garantiza que el servicio o tratamiento sea un beneficio con cobertura, y los asegurados deben consultar su certificado de cobertura para obtener más detalles sobre los beneficios, las limitaciones y las exclusiones. Independientemente de los beneficios, la decisión final sobre cualquier servicio o tratamiento la toman el asegurado y su médico.
1 National Foundation for Infectious Diseases; #COVID-19 and Routine Vaccinations: What Parents Need To Know, April 28, 2020; https://www.nfid.org/2020/04/28/covid-19-and-routine-vaccinations-what-parents-need-to-know/
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 15, 2020; Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Routine Pediatric Vaccine Ordering and Administration – United States, 2020; https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6919e2.htm
3,4 WHO; WHO and UNICEF warn of a decline in vaccinations during COVID-19, July 15, 2020; https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/15-07-2020-who-and-unicef-warn-of-a-decline-in-vaccinations-during-covid-19
5 CDC; National Immunization Awareness Month, Educational Resources for Parents and Patients; https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/parents/educational-resources.html
6 CDC; National Immunization Awareness Month; https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html