Child vaccination rates drop for second year in a row

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- The Berrien County Health Department is encouraging parents to keep up with their children's vaccines after child vaccination rates drop for the second year in a row.

92% of Berrien County K-12 students had all of their required shots as of March of this year, while the CDC recommends a rate of at least 95% to promote herd immunity.

During the pandemic, lots of families had to cancel appointments to avoid COVID-19 exposure.

That trend continues even now, and local health officials say it's important to make sure your kids get their vaccines to prevent sickness.

Kids come across lots of different bacteria throughout their day, and it can be harder to make sure your child is staying healthy as they get older.

Vaccines for Children is a federal program that helps Medicaid, uninsured and underinsured children receive vaccines for free. This helps parents who may not be financially able to get those vaccinations and ensures every child has access to this important part of healthcare.

You can contact your local VFC Coordinator to get enrolled in the program.

To do so, or for more information about the VFC program, visit the official website.