Arizona health department launches new campaign to increase childhood vaccination rates

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The Arizona Department of Health Services is trying to encourage more Arizona families to get their kids vaccinated amid decreasing vaccination rates.

State health officials say Arizona’s declining vaccination rates are putting more kids at risk of preventable diseases. During the 2018-19 school year, 93% of kindergartens statewide received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The number dropped to 88% during the 2023-24 school year.

“We have seen an increase of vaccine hesitancy,” Dr. Ronald Serbin, a Phoenix-based pediatrician, said. “I think different areas of the state and different communities see it more.”

AZDHS partnered with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Arizona Partnership for Immunization to put together a new campaign to education families about the importance of vaccinations.

Dr. Serbin is one of eight pediatricians featured in a series of vaccine videos. During Dr. Serbin’s video, he talked about getting his own child vaccinated.

“I’ve even had parents say if this is your child, would you give them this vaccine, and my answer every time is my daughter has already had this vaccine,” Dr. Serbin said in his video.

From Bisbee to Yuma, pediatricians like Dr. Serbin hope these videos make a difference and increase vaccination rates in our state.

“My job as a pediatrician, in addition to taking care of children, is to educate the families about the importance of preventing illness,” Dr. Serbin added.

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