Ransom III: The new school year is a good time for all ages to get caught up on vaccinations

Even though more than 12 million Marylanders have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination, immunization rates for other communicable illnesses have dropped, leaving particularly vulnerable communities — such as children, college students and seniors — susceptible to a host of preventable illnesses. With Maryland students returning to classrooms this month, this is an important opportunity to ensure that all family members are protected from potentially fatal illnesses, including measles, polio, meningitis and pneumococcal disease. Vaccines are the most effective protection against stopping the spread of a broad range of contagious illnesses. However, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases that were once thought to be well controlled, including measles and whooping cough, are still occurring.