Risks raised as fewer Hoosier children are getting vaccinated

Fewer Hoosier students being vaccinated in the state is raising the risk for serious complications from diseases once thought to be in the past.

Back-to-school season can be a concerning time for parents, as students returning to class may mean more exposure to common childhood illnesses. While childhood illnesses like the common cold, strep throat, influenza, hand-foot-mouth disease and the stomach flu tend to be more common once children are back in school, the rise in unvaccinated Hoosier children are bringing diseases back other preventable and more dangerous diseases, thanks to a recent decline in routine vaccinations.  

According to the Indiana State Department of Health, recent numbers show in 2023 only 56.4% of Indiana children from ages 19-35 months have received their recommended immunizations, dropping nearly 4% since 2021. In recent decades these immunizations have kept the population safe from diseases like meningitis, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, mumps and measles. The lack of vaccinations, however, are raising the risk for these serious diseases to reappear. 

This past February, the Indiana Department of Health confirmed the first case of measles in the state of Indiana since 2019 in Lake County. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus, now rare in the US. The one case in Northwest Indiana meant a low public risk, given the widespread availability of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

“Measles is easily spread and can be serious, especially for young children,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver said in a press release back in February. “About one in five unvaccinated people in the United States who get measles is hospitalized, and 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to measles will become sick. This case is a good reminder that you are at risk if you haven’t been vaccinated.”

Fulton County Public Health Nurse Denise Ostafin said that although the back-to-school time has kept their Immunization Clinic busy the past few weeks, the decline of Hoosier kids being vaccinated doesn't surprise her. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Ostafin said she's noticed many of the families coming to the clinic being behind on their vaccines and having to get caught up years after they are supposed to be given. She said this puts children at risk for serious complications that include being crippled, losing limbs, bacterial diseases and more. 

To best protect yourself, along with every member of your family from these vaccine-preventable diseases, you can follow the CDC’s recommended immunization schedules.

The Immunization Clinic at the Fulton County Health Department provides childhood immunizations for Medicaid and uninsured patients 18 years and younger every Wednesday, by appointment only. Adult vaccines for uninsured patients also are available by appointment at the clinic. Patients needing to update their vaccines can do so by calling 574-223-4218, and making an appointment with the immunization clerk.  

Ostafin said the Indiana Immunization Coalition also will be hosting a Health Fair at the Fulton County 4-H Fairgrounds Community Building on Oct. 3 from 4-7 p.m., providing everything from vaccines, health screenings, community resources, giveaways and more.