While COVID-19 vaccines dominate the headlines, the state Department of Health says kids’ vaccination rates for other serious illnesses has dropped off.
The agency says declines are especially notable in 11 and 12 year olds.
Those ages have seen a drop of 11% for the Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.
One dose of the Tdap is required to enter 7th grade.
There have also been decreases in rates for other vaccines.
The department says August is National Immunization Awareness Month and its a good time to get kids caught up.