A Kentucky nonprofit, just hosted a free webinar about what some call the immunization crisis.

Speakers at the foundation for a Healthy Kentucky's event discussed vaccine hesitancy, how it's affecting immunization rates, and how medical professionals and advocates can address it.

When we talk about the vaccine crisis, you know, what are we really talking about?

How are and how are we doing in Kentucky?

Well, this is not just a Kentucky issue.

Obviously.

This is something that is going on nationwide.

It's really something that it's affecting everybody from coast to coast.

And it's not going to take long before we see the effects of falling rates of immunizations.

We're seeing some decrease across the board.

We are significantly below the national average.

We usually come out at around 30 between 39 and 46 on most measures.

We used to be a little bit better than the national average, and we're struggling some.

As far as our recommendations are routinized personalized adversities opportunities.

We have to continue beating the drum on routine immunization schedules and we can't look away from COVID.

It has to continue to be talked about.

Those personal conversations, that is our opportunity to identify someone's personal battles.

Maybe they have diabetes.

Maybe they're afraid of needles.

Diversities.

We must integrate trauma informed care and culturally competent approaches in everything we do.

Opportunities while we have to be patient with ourselves and each other.

We still have to be persistent, consistent.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, as of November 20, 23, 90% of Kentucky's kindergartners have the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

95% is needed for herd immunity.