As a Utah local, I was dismayed to hear that childhood immunizations have dropped drastically in the state, as the COVID-19 pandemic prevented many children from making routine doctors’ visits. What’s even more concerning is that even though vaccines were readily accessible to Utah parents, many still chose not to vaccinate their kids.
23 million children around the world missed out on basic vaccines in 2020 (the highest number since 2009). Meanwhile, postponed measles campaigns in vulnerable countries have affected an estimated 140 million people, mainly children, in 2021.
In fact, according to the World Health Organization, more than 140,000 children died of measles in 2018, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, which has saved over 21 million lives since its introduction.
To prevent measles outbreaks both at home and abroad, I implore our elected officials to ensure vaccine accessibility. I am calling on Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. Mitt Romney to support robust funding for global childhood immunization programs and CDC measles elimination programs in the federal budget. No person today, regardless of where they are from, should be suffering from a vaccine-preventable disease.
Lori Harding, South Jordan