Washington, D.C. – June 2, 2022 – Vaccines save lives. Unfortunately, childhood vaccination rates have been decreasing over the past decade, a problem that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. A new AHIP resource spotlights the need to ensure that children are vaccinated against diseases such as tetanus, HPV, polio, measles, whooping cough, and chicken pox.
Millions of lives have been saved thanks to vaccines, and some diseases—like smallpox—have been nearly eliminated as a result. But the percentage of kindergarteners going to school without any recommended vaccines increased from 0.6% to 1% between 2010 and 2020, and vaccination rates for the measles, mumps and rubella; diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (DTaP); and chicken pox fell by 1% for kindergarteners in the 2020-2021 school year.
Health insurance providers are stepping up their efforts to encourage vaccinations for children, working with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, public health officials, and community-based organizations to improve vaccine awareness and education.
Efforts include:
- Using data to identify children that have not received their recommended vaccinations, and encouraging their parents to schedule an appointment.
- Working directly with providers to improve vaccination rates among their patients.
- Prioritizing outreach to parents and guardians of children younger than 18 to provide fact-based information about the importance and value of childhood vaccines.
Health insurance providers remain committed to educating families and communities about the safety, efficacy, and life-saving importance of vaccines.
Click here for the vaccine resource.
About AHIP
AHIP is the national association whose members provide health care coverage, services, and solutions to hundreds of millions of Americans every day. We are committed to market-based solutions and public-private partnerships that make health care better and coverage more affordable and accessible for everyone. Visit www.ahip.org to learn how working together, we are Guiding Greater Health.