A: Nope. Bring your child to the doctor.
We get it: the doctor’s office seems like a risky place to go.
However, people avoiding their pediatricians has led to massive disruptions in routine preventive care and delays in immunizations.
Data from the Vaccines for Children Program show large reductions in orders for measles and non-flu vaccines (including hepatitis, meningitis, polio and rotavirus) beginning in mid-March. One study from Michigan shows, for example, that fewer than 50% of children under age two are up-to-date on their vaccinations, a drop from prior years. And worldwide, as of April 2020, over 114 million children are at risk of missing or delaying their measles vaccination.
Folks, the last thing we want in the middle of a pandemic is another infectious disease spreading among us.
While there is always some risk associated with leaving your household or pod, going to the doctor for treatment or prevention of other infectious diseases is the right thing to do, for your child, your family, and your community. Here are some ways that you and your providers can minimize risk:
1.) Both parent and child should wear masks. A face shield or goggles will provide extra protection.
2.) Wash your hands and your child’s hands (before, during, and after the appointment). This should be second nature for you now. And try not to touch many things when you are there — for example, bring your own pen!
3.) Social distance from other patients to the extent possible. Healthcare providers can reduce crowding inside the facility by using outdoor screening booths and/or having parents wait in their cars rather than the waiting room. They can also schedule sick and well patients at different times of the day or in different locations.
4.) If the last few months have been a blur, call your child’s doctor to see if you are overdue for vaccinations.
