As you may know, our organization is a member of the Parent Information Network (PIN). PIN is a coalition of groups advocating for vaccines and vaccine use in Michigan. And in the wake of the COVID-19, their work could not be more important.

Since the onset of the pandemic, immunization rates for vaccine-preventable diseases like the measles, mumps and rubella have fallen off dramatically here in Michigan. According to a study published by the CDC earlier this year, vaccination rates overall for children 18 and younger dropped by more than 20 percent, leaving far too many children and communities unprotected and vulnerable to outbreaks of potentially deadly, completely preventable conditions.

It’s a serious problem and one that PIN is working to address as the world begins to return to a more normal state with children returning to school in the fall.

As part of that back-to-school effort, PIN is asking parents around the state to pledge to have their child’s immunizations up to date before returning to the classroom.  

Taking the pledge to get caught up has never been more important.

With social distancing requirements easing and in-person learning returning this fall, the conditions will be just right for a serious outbreak of a highly contagious and potentially deadly communicable disease like the measles.

That’s something we can prevent, but only if we all do our part to see that our children are caught up on their routine immunizations. Please take the pledge today and ask others to do the same. Getting our children caught-up on routine, life-saving immunizations before the start of the coming school year could very well save lives—that alone should be reason enough to take the pledge.