The coronavirus crisis and confinement should not lead parents to postpone for several months the vaccination of children under two years of age against potentially serious diseases, such as measles or meningitis, pediatricians unions alerted this Wednesday.
"It would be rather ridiculous not to prevent diseases already under control, in the name of a disease that spares babies," summarized Dr. Mariam-Natacha Haidara, pediatrician practicing in Paris and at the Red Cross. "With fear and the constraints of confinement, parents no longer come to the compulsory pediatric consultations and to the various compulsory vaccinations," she regrets.
Vaccination is one of the authorized acts
Vaccination of toddlers considered an "urgent" consultation
However, "if the vaccination coverage is not ensured in its continuity", this could lead "in the coming months, to the resurgence of diseases well controlled so far in the territory", such as measles, whooping cough or meningitis, she said.
Medical visits for the vaccination of toddlers are considered by the health authorities to be part of the “urgent” consultations remaining authorized within the framework of confinement, reminded the pediatrician unions.
Don't be afraid to bring your child
The families whose usual pediatrician has closed his office because of the epidemic crisis should not conclude that "the vaccine can wait", but seek another specialist, underlines Dr. Haidara.
Parents can also be reassured about the respect of barrier gestures in medical offices, she said, especially since the attendance is much lower than usual. "The number of consultations has decreased a lot, in particular because, for the bobology, we work by teleconsultation".
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