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Lack of appointments shuts down LMAS District Health immunization clinics

The number of adults and children skipping vaccinations for things like measles, mumps and rubella has been declining for years. But the pandemic has made the decline worse.

Kerry Ott is the public information officer for the Luce, Mackinac, Alger Schoolcraft (LMAS) District Health Department, which covers four counties in the upper peninsula.

She says the culture war over the COVID-19 vaccine has trickled into all immunizations and offered clinics outside of regular business hours. Ott says she chose to intentionally remove the word “vaccine” or “vaccination” from her clinic's promotional materials due to its new affiliation with COVID.

"Even when we mentioned these other immunizations, we immediately start getting comments about needing to stop pushing the jab. We all know that's lingo for the in for the COVID vaccine," said Ott.

Ott says she fears prominent diseases like measles, mumps and rubella could creep back into public life.

"I've never seen anything like this in my lifetime and my close to 30 years in public health. I have never seen something divide our communities like we've experienced over the last two and a half years," said Ott.

Rick Brewer has been news director at WCMU since February 2024.