With measles on the rise, Pennsylvania children’s advocates are reminding parents of the importance of vaccine checkups for kids, in hopes of keeping them healthy in and out of the classroom.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported measles cases in Pennsylvania and nationwide are at their highest levels(opens in new tab) in more than three decades.
Kari King, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said the group’s new fact sheet(opens in new tab) provides guidance for families, stressing back-to-school time is ideal to make sure children are up to date on shots. King acknowledged measles vaccination rates have been slipping, including Pennsylvania’s kindergarten immunization rate, leaving more kids vulnerable.
“Measles, mumps, rubella, the vaccination rate stands at 93.2%. Typically in the medical community, we look to 95% for what we refer to as the community protection goal, looking to build up kind of that herd immunity,” King explained.