Loudoun Health Officials Urge Parents to Stay on Top of Infant Vaccine Schedule

As pediatricians’ offices across Ashburn see a seasonal uptick in respiratory illnesses, local public health leaders are issuing a renewed call to parents: ensuring infants are up-to-date on their immunizations is a critical, year-round defense.

“Vaccines are one of the most effective tools we have to protect our youngest and most vulnerable residents from serious diseases,” said Dr. David Goodfriend, Director of the Loudoun County Health Department. “The community protection we build here in Ashburn and across Loudoun starts with keeping our children on schedule.”

The reminder comes as health departments nationwide work to reverse a concerning decline in childhood vaccination rates seen since the pandemic. Officials emphasize that diseases like measles, whooping cough, and rotavirus, which vaccines can prevent, still pose a real threat and can lead to hospitalization.

Local clinics, including those within the Inova Loudoun Hospital network and private practices in the Ashburn area, follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended schedule. This schedule is meticulously designed to provide immunity when babies are most susceptible.

“We know parents are busy, and well-child visits can sometimes slip,” said a nurse practitioner at a Broadlands Family Practice. “But those early appointments are so much more than just a weight check. They are a guaranteed time to build your child’s long-term health. We’re here to answer questions and help parents feel confident in their choices.”

Resources for families, including information on the Virginia Immunization Program and locations for no-cost or low-cost vaccines, are available through the Loudoun County Health Department’s website.