Well-child and Vaccinations during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned our lives and calendars upside down. To protect our families and each other, most of us have stayed and often worked at home. We became our children’s teachers — and if we venture out, we remain six-feet apart and wear masks. This continues to keep us safe, but we fell behind on well-child checks and scheduled vaccinations. School starts in August and deadlines for required vaccinations to attend school have not changed. At MercyOne, we’ve enhanced the safety of our clinics to get kids back-on-track for wellness. We also offer Virtual Visits for some appointments.

“We are still learning about COVID-19, and the impact it could have on children,” says MercyOne pediatrician, Dr. Sara Schutte-Schenck. “While treatments and a vaccine for this virus are being developed, it’s important we don’t forget the many childhood diseases which can be prevented now. Thankfully, we know a lot about diseases like measles, mumps, whooping cough, meningitis and the flu. Vaccinations can keep them from further complicating your child’s health and well-being.”

“I understand parents worry about a vaccine interfering with the ability of their child’s immune system to defend itself against other infectious agents,” says Dr. Schutte-Schenck. “I also know our bodies have an amazing ability to 'multi-task.' Our immune system can form antibodies to the vaccine(s) being given and still be able to fight off other infectious pathogens or exposures. Vaccines are also considered one of the most important advancements in medicine in the past century. They have been able to reduce or eliminate or reduce diseases like polio and measles, and significantly decrease the impact of many other infectious diseases on the health of our society.”

“We need vaccinations to keep us all safe,” she said. “By vaccinating all, or most people in a population, ‘herd immunity’ develops. This immunity protects the majority. This is very important because diseases can still be active in other parts of the world. Since we can’t vaccinate against COVID-19 right now, it’s even more important we avoid other health crisis we can prevent – by getting a shot. This is also why a flu shot for everyone six-months and older will be extremely important this fall.”

Safe care is our priority. All MercyOne clinics, medical centers and care locations have enhanced our safety protocols, including:

• Everyone entering our facilities, from patients to MercyOne colleagues—is screened for symptoms of COVID-19, including having their temperature checked.
• We require masks to be worn by all in our care locations.
• We have established designated areas where we provide care only for those not known to have COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms to help reduce the risk of infection.
• We're following guidelines to test patients for COVID-19 prior to scheduled procedures.
• We're doing more cleaning than ever before, especially of high-touch surfaces in both patient care and public spaces like lobbies, waiting areas and restrooms. All operating, emergency, inpatient and procedure rooms get an intense disinfecting and cleaning from the ceiling to the floor between each patient, with special attention to surfaces that are often touched, like doorknobs, light switches, hand sanitizer dispensers, furniture, armrests and beds.
• We suggest only the child with an appointment and an accompanying adult attend, to minimize exposure.
• Hand-sanitizing stations are available throughout our facilities for your convenience.
• We are following social-distancing guidelines in all our facilities - including the use of floor stickers and signs to encourage appropriate six-foot spacing.
• We encourage you register before you arrive at the clinic. Our colleagues can tell you how.

The COVID-19 pandemic will likely be with us for a while, says Dr. Schutte-Schenck. As parents, you will need to remain vigilant and continue to help your children with masking, washing their hands, covering coughs and sneezes and maintaining social distancing. You will also still have to make some hard choices about not visiting grandma and grandpa or getting together with other family members. You will miss each other and these opportunities, but you can engage the children in finding other ways to communicate with letters, phone calls or video chats.

During this time, your children will also rely on you even more for comfort. They will look to you for reassurance everything will be okay. By remaining calm and letting them know everything will be alright and the current situation isn’t permanent, they are less likely to worry. Kids typically don’t worry, unless they see their parents worry. They find comfort in knowing their parents are going to take care of them.

Should you see a need to help your child(ren) or yourself cope with the pandemic uncertainty, your local MercyOne is here to support you with resources and information to help reduce stress. We have services for the whole family, and they may be available virtually.

Stay well, and we hope to see you soon.