(Ohio) – Reports indicate as one example, 16,000 fewer children were vaccinated across the Nationwide Children’s Hospital primary care network during the months of March and April when compared with last year.

Fearing outbreaks of diseases like measles or whooping cough, pediatricians are working with parents and others to encourage children across the state to get caught up on vaccines they may have missed early on in the pandemic. Officials indicated that pediatricians’ offices are often much busier during the summer months with children getting vaccinations before they head back to school in the fall. However, the logistics of ensuring all kids are up-to-date on vaccines is proving difficult this year as a result of the coronavirus. Experts have indicated the rate of children vaccinated plummeted nationwide during the initial surge of COVID-19 cases. This is likely due to many doctor’s offices being closed for most well-checks followed by parent hesitation to take their kids in for non-emergencies during stay-at-home orders.

While doctor’s offices have reopened, many health professionals are concerned about the realistic ability to ‘rebound’ and catch up. Many are considering things such as vaccine-only clinics.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has also issued statements urging parents to not let vaccination schedules slip despite COVID-19. Experts have cited a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the effect the pandemic has had on immunizations.