Pediatricians urging parents to keep kids up-to-date on visits, vaccines

PITTSBURGH — Local doctors are reminding parents not to let their children fall behind on vaccines and well visits as the coronavirus pandemic drags on.

“A lot of this essential care has been placed on hold over the last three months and now it’s time for our communities to emerge and address these healthy needs,” said Dr. Alejandro Hoberman, president of UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics.

Doctors have new protocols in place to keep you safe during a visit to the office such as no more waiting rooms, different prices for sick and wellness visits and wearing masks.

A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed vaccine orders dropped during the height of the pandemic. Those decreased rates have researchers concerned that some vaccine preventable diseases may return.

Hoberman doesn’t want families to wait until fall to be treated because there are higher risk factors.

"We're going to be dealing with other with viruses, not only just the coronavirus. We're going to be dealing with flu. We're going to be dealing with other things," he said.

Hoberman said all children – from babies to teenagers – need to get vaccines to help keep the community healthy.

"By creating this herd immunity that protects the group, in general, and we're almost ready to eradicate measles in this country and we don't want to go backwards," he said.

You can learn more about the safety protocols in place at UPMC HERE.

For more information on how Allegheny Health Network is responding to the pandemic, CLICK HERE.

UPMC Community Matters: Dr. Diego Chaves-Gnecco talks about keeping up with your child's vaccinations UPMC Community Matters: Dr. Diego Chaves-Gnecco talks about keeping up with your child's vaccinations

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