GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Health officials are hoping to improve vaccination numbers in Kent County amid a downward trend.
The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) says it has launched a new advertising campaign through use of a $300,000 state-issued grant.
“During the past two years, the pandemic has worsened an already concerning drop-off in childhood vaccination rates,” says KCHD Immunizations Supervisor Amy Shears. “While Kent County has higher rates compared to most of the state, a continued decline may allow diseases that were once considered eradicated to reemerge.”
We’re told the theme of the campaign is “The Future is Ours” and will be found on billboards and various other media.
VaccinateWestMi.com has been updated with a timeline depicting when children should receive their vaccines, as well as information regarding the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.
With the omicron variant causing more severe infections among children than previous strains, Section Chief of Infectious Diseases Dr. Andrew Jameson recommends that all children be vaccinated before school resumes.
"I think that particularly going into the fall, vaccinating your kids is a good idea," Dr. Jameson explains. "That also helps keep everyone safe in the family and around them as well, so they're not bringing it home to you."
KCHD says the campaign will last through early fall.
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