BIRMINGHAM (May 18, 2020) — To avoid outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and keep children protected, vaccinations and well-child visits are essential even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pediatricians have quickly adapted to ensure visits to their offices are safe, such as set hours and exam rooms for well visits and rigorous cleaning practices.
David Kimberlin, M.D., is a pediatric infectious diseases physician at Children’s of Alabama and professor of pediatrics, vice chair for Clinical and Translational Research and co-director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Kimberlin also serves as editor of the American Academy of Pediatrics Red Book Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases.
In the video clips below, Dr. Kimberlin provides guidance to parents and caregivers regarding their child’s immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- What is your advice as stay at home orders are being lifted in Alabama and across the country?
- Has there been a decrease in the number of childhood vaccines given during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- What is the big picture / society concern if vaccine rates continue to decline?
- What is the risk to the child by skipping or delaying a vaccine?
- Is it ever ‘too late’ to catch up on a dose in a series? If a parent knows the child missed a dose, what are the recommendations for getting back on schedule?
- What is your advice to parents who are unsure of visiting a doctor’s office at this time, specifically those whose infants/children are due for a vaccine?
- What advice do you have for parents who may be concerned about coming to the hospital for clinic visits?
Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children, offering inpatient and outpatient services throughout central Alabama. Ranked among the best pediatric medical centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s provided care for youngsters from every county in Alabama and 42 other states last year, representing more than 684,000 outpatient visits and more than 15,000 inpatient admissions. With more than 3.5 million square feet, Children’s is one of the largest pediatric medical facilities in the United States. It is a private, not-for-profit medical center that serves as the teaching hospital for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) pediatric medicine, surgery, psychiatry, research and residency programs. The medical staff consists of UAB faculty and Children’s of Alabama’s full-time physicians as well as private practicing community physicians.