Davidson County daycares could face child immunization audits pending grant approval

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Child vaccination records could be audited in Davidson County at daycare centers next month if Metro Council continues with the process to accept a grant from the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

The contract is scheduled to start October 1 and would audit each licensed child care facility in Davidson County.  

The audit would come at a time where rates of routine childhood vaccination hit a 10-year low in 2023 and child vaccine exemptions in Tennessee increased slightly compared to last year, according to CDC data.

“It is so vitally important for children to get vaccinated and be updated on their vaccines only because there are so many different types of communicable disease, really serious diseases, and diseases that can actually kill children if they don’t get vaccinated,” Professor of Pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Dr. Joseph Gigante, told News 2.

According to the Metro Council agenda for Tuesday, the audit of immunization records at child care centers, drop-in centers and group child care homes would ensure the safety and well-being of children and families in Tennessee.

Tennessee law requires children in care facilities and public schools to be immunized for a number of diseases, but false claims about vaccine risks may be contributing to the decline of vaccination rates.

“I think unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation…and parents will read that and think and kind of take that as truth,” Gigante added. “Often what they’re reading is actually not only not factual, but it’s completely incorrect.”

The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt said that if you have any questions about child vaccinations to reach out to your pediatrician. There are ways to catch up on routine vaccinations if you’ve only recently decided to get your child vaccinated.