“Don’t Wait, Vaccinate” campaign launches in Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Governor Larry Hogan announced on Monday the launch of a new campaign called “Don’t Wait, Vaccinate”, aimed at encouraging parents and guardians to get their children caught up on routine vaccinations before the start of the new school year.

Governor Hogan declared August as Immunization Awareness Month. In addition, through the state’s $1 million VaxU promotion, all 12 to 17-year-old Marylanders who receive a COVID-19 vaccine are eligible for a $50,000 scholarship.

“As we reopen schools this year for full time in-person learning, it’s important to remember that school enrollment requires students to be up-to-date on routine vaccinations,” said State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury. “Particularly after last year’s experience with prolonged closures due to COVID-19, our children cannot afford any more time away from the academic and social-emotional support of their school communities.”

According to Maryland’s immunization information system, ImmuNet, April 2020 saw the greatest decline in the number of vaccinations given to children from birth to age 18, with a 46% decrease when compared to April 2019. For routine childhood vaccinations, the largest decreases occurred in the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, with a decrease of 71%, and the chickenpox vaccine, with a decrease of 68%.

More information on immunizations in Maryland, click here.