By Mary O’KEEFE

The Dept. of Public Health is no longer administering childhood vaccines citing that its medical offices are all concentrating on administering COVID-19 vaccinations. Although the vaccinations to help stop the pandemic are important, some parents and medical professionals find it odd that in an effort to control the spread of one virus the DPH has chosen to ignore protection from other viruses/diseases of pandemics of the past.

Most parents who are on insurance provided by Covered California have their children on Medi-Cal. In the past – as late as three months ago – parents could take their infants/children to a number of DPH and DPH-approved medical offices so their children could receive their vaccinations. Last week, a parent who had an appointment for infant vaccinations arrived at what was then the only DPH office to still administer the vaccines only to find it no longer offered that service.

CVW called several of the DPH medical offices and received the same answer: “We were just told we are no longer giving vaccines to children or adults.”

A couple of those who responded said they were not sure how long this cancellation would last and could not offer any solution to parents seeking non-COVID-19 vaccinations for their children.

“Unfortunately, this is correct,” stated a spokesperson from DPH in an email response. “Given the surge, healthcare workers have been deployed to support other critical activities including vaccinating healthcare workers and residents in skilled nursing facilities.”

The spokesperson also stated they are working on taking down the immunization schedule from their website and that the cancellation is temporary, but no timeline was shared as to when the immunizations would begin again. This has left many parents scrambling to find not only a place to get their children immunized but some also have to find a new pediatrician who can work with Medi-Cal for immunizations.

Childhood vaccines include diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella. Many of these vaccines require two doses given at scheduled times.

CVW has reached out to DPH for more information, as well as to the office of Supervisor Kathryn Barger. Neither responded as of press time.

CVW will continue to follow this story.