Continuing vaccination during COVID-19
pandemic
Please join us in celebrating National Infant Immunization Week, April 25- May 2, 2020
and Toddler Immunization Month in May.
AAP and CDC recommend that childhood immunizations continue to be prioritized
during the COVID-19 pandemic. But parents may be reluctant to bring their children in
during the pandemic. To help reassure them, you may use the following messages,
adapting them as needed to how your clinic is operating:
1. Emphasize steps your practice is taking to keep patients and clinic staff safe.
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“We are taking several precautions to help keep our patients safe, including scheduling
baby shot visits in the morning and only seeing sick children in the afternoon.”
"We’re screening everyone who comes into the office, including taking everyone's
temperature.”
“We disinfect our clinic twice daily and exam rooms after each visit.”
“We have designated areas of our offices to separate sick patients from healthy
patients.”
“We all wear masks at all times.”
"We're scheduling appointments so only one patient is at the clinic at a given time."

2. Consider alternate ways to deliver care.
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"We can schedule a telehealth appointment, where I address your questions and
concerns on your phone or computer, followed by a brief immunization visit to help
keep your baby safe.”
“Our clinic is offering ‘drive-thru’ immunizations, so you don’t even have to come inside
the clinic!”

3. Reinforce the fact that vaccine-preventable diseases will continue to be a threat to
the child.
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"As a parent, I would not wait to immunize my baby; as your doctor, I am strongly
recommending we help protect your baby from diseases that could cause harm during
or after the pandemic.”

4. Inform them that getting caught up later may not be so easy.
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“When California ‘reopens,’ there may be many children who need to catch up on
immunizations, increasing wait times for appointments. While waiting they could be
exposed to dangerous vaccine-preventable diseases circulating in the community. Let's
avoid that danger by keeping your child on track."

 We can’t thank you enough for serving our communities and protecting children during
this difficult time. To help your vital work, we encourage you to check out CDC’s NIIW
tools and resources and our On-demand webinar on guidance for immunizations during
the pandemic. Thank you again for all that you do!