CHILDHOOD VACCINATION ADVISORY

(Placerville, CA) - Back to school time is fast approaching, yet according to El Dorado County Public Health officials many children are behind in their vaccination schedules due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Health officials are encouraging parents to take steps now so that their children receive their scheduled vaccines.

“In California and across the U.S., recent data shows troubling decreases in childhood vaccination, leaving many children unprotected,” said Lynnan Svensson, El Dorado County Public Health Nursing Manager. “Comparing the months of April 2019 and April 2020, the number of shots given to children 0 through 18 years old in California decreased by more than 40 percent.”

According to Svensson, El Dorado County medical providers and pharmacies are now open to help infants and children catch up on their routine immunizations. “It’s recommended that parents contact their child’s doctor for an appointment as soon as possible and discuss with the provider's receptionist any concerns about visiting the office. Most providers have additional safety measures in place to protect patients when visiting the clinic, such as separating sick and well children,” said Svensson.

For individuals who are out of work or without health insurance, El Dorado County Public Health offers infant and children's vaccines for free. Children must be 0 through 18 years of age, uninsured, underinsured, Medi-Cal eligible, Alaska Native or American Indian. For questions or to schedule a vaccination appointment with Public Health, call (530) 621-6100 in Placerville or (530) 573-3155 in South Lake Tahoe. /

El Dorado County Public Health Nursing also offers free walk-in vaccination clinics for uninsured children or those on Medi-Cal at designated community locations in El Dorado County each year. For dates and locations of walk-in vaccination clinics, visit www.edcgov.us/publichealth or call Public Health.

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