Why is this important?
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for healthcare providers, parents, teens and young adults. One outcome from the past few months, is dramatic declines in vaccination. The CDC reported that orders for vaccines have declined sharply since the emergency declaration (MMWR, May 8 2020). A recent study showed a 71% drop in healthcare visits for 7-17 year olds¹, ages when critical vaccines like Tdap, HPV and meningitis are given. These declines in vaccination put children and communities at greater risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like whooping cough.
We're all part of the essential effort to ensure adolescents and young adults stay safe and healthy!
¹https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/2020/apr/impact-covid-19-outpatient-visits
What can you do?
COVID-19 affects everyone. Teens and young adults need to be diligent to protect both themselves and their families.
Prioritize vaccination. When state/local conditions allow, act quickly to catch-up teens on all recommended vaccines.
Act now to catch-up on well visits and immunization.
Connect to Unity educational resources to learn more.
Suggested Actions and Resources
- NOTICE: FDA Grants Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
- Pfizer- BioNTech Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers.
- Let parents and teens know what your office is doing to ensure their safety for preventive care and immunization visits during COVID-19.
- Reach out to parents and teens on what vaccines they can get now to prevent HPV related cancers, whooping cough and meningitis.
- CDC strategies and recommendations:
- Preparedness Tools for Healthcare Professionals and Facilities Responding to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Framework for Healthcare Systems Providing Non-COVID-19 Clinical Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Recommendations from the AAP and AAFP on vaccinating during COVID-19.
- Contribute to fair access to health care and COVID-19 support. The CDC has outlined factors that may increase the risk for COVID-19 in racial and ethnic minority groups. Remind and recall your teens for missed vaccinations via text or during telehealth visits to protect them now from preventable illness.
- The Flu vaccine is especially important this year amongst COVID-19 concerns. Find important guidelines for this Influenza Season from ASTHO.
- Back to school:
- Use this CDC checklist to ensure your adolescent patients are prepared to return back to school this fall.
- NOTICE: FDA Grants Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
- NYT: Finding your place in the Vaccine Line.
- Your teen may have missed their routine vaccinations due to COVID-19 restrictions. This increases the chance for outbreaks of diseases like whooping cough. Learn which vaccines your teens may need and contact your healthcare provider.
- Remind your teens about how important they are to not spreading the virus to you, your family and their friends. Social distancing is extra challenging for teens and so let them know that they are helping to save lives.
- You can help your teen shift their focus away from missed events and activities, forward toward plans and goals for their future.
- Your teen should not be denied vaccines because of insurance status or ability to pay. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program offers immunizations at no cost in every state:
- IAC: Paying for Vaccines
- Advice to support and help protect teens and young adults during COVID-19:
- CDC: How to Protect Yourself & Others
- healthychildren.org: Mental Health During COVID-19: Signs Your Teen May Need More Support
- healthychildren.org: Teens & COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities During the Outbreak
- Dr. Lisa Damour: How to Manage a Meltdown
- Conditions such as asthma and obesity can make you or your children more susceptible to COVID-19. Use the CDC's guidelines to find out if your adolescent is at an increased risk for contracting COVID-19 and how you can keep them safe.
- Although learning this fall may be untraditional, it is vital to provide continued support for your adolescent.
- CDC: Checklist to ensure your teen is prepared to return back to school, no matter what that looks like.
- healthychildren.org: Checklist for teens returning safely to school sports.
- The authorized emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech is a landmark decision that promises to alter the fight against the coronavirus radically in the United States.
NPR on Pfizer Vaccine: FDA Authorizes COVID-19 Vaccine For Emergency Use In U.S.
NOTICE: FDA Grants Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccine: How CDC Is Making COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
A discussion on adolescent and whole child health care during COVID-19.
Supporting Families & Schools in Addressing Student Health
A brief summary of the results of Unity’s nationally sponsored poll on Adolescent Health and Immunization during COVID-19 in Aug-Sept 2020 with approx. 600 parents and 300 teens.
Survey of Parents & Teens: Impact of COVID-19 on Teen Health & Immunization –
- NOTICE: FDA Grants Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
- NYT: Finding your place in the Vaccine Line.
- Wear your mask, social distance and wash your hands: Your choices help you get back to the things you really want to do.
- You are not the exception: You might not feel sick or have symptoms, but you can still spread the virus and put others at risk.
- Your schools may not let you return if you don’t get vaccinated: COVID-19 isn't the only health risk you face, make sure you're up to date on the vaccines recommended for you.
- Staying safe from COVID-19:
- CDC: How to Protect Yourself & Others
- Mental Health and Coping during COVID-19:
- The authorized emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech is a landmark decision that promises to alter the fight against the coronavirus radically in the United States.
NPR on Pfizer Vaccine: FDA Authorizes COVID-19 Vaccine For Emergency Use In U.S.
NOTICE: FDA Grants Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccine: How CDC Is Making COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
A discussion on adolescent and whole child health care during COVID-19.
Supporting Families & Schools in Addressing Student Health
A brief summary of the results of Unity’s nationally sponsored poll on Adolescent Health and Immunization during COVID-19 in Aug-Sept 2020 with approx. 600 parents and 300 teens.
