Health experts ask parents to vaccinate their children before back-to-school

 

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- The St. Joseph County Department of Health is asking parents to make sure their children are fully vaccinated before heading back to school next month.

Across the state, 81% of Kindergartners are fully vaccinated, but that number falls to 66% by the time those students reach high school.

Department officials cite “vaccine fatigue” and a busy work life for adults as the main factors, with many parents believing that a child’s initial shots are “good enough.”

Doctors say those who are immunocompromised, like someone who’s diabetic, are most at risk when someone who’s not vaccinated is around them.

The percentage of students receiving vaccinations as high school seniors has gone down in six of the seven categories reported since the 2021-2022 school year.

The same goes for sixth graders, as the state department of health shows declines in vaccination rates as high as 9.1% since 2020 for some vaccines.

The county health department hosts several vaccination clinics before back-to-school season starts.