Like many parents, Karina Cooksey was looking forward to sending her 8-year-old son Simon back to school this fall. Now she’s wondering if he’ll have to attend third grade at home in Plain City, Utah, after all. Because Simon has a genetic disease that destroys his immune system, she’s less worried about him getting COVID-19. She’s more terrified he’ll be exposed to measles.

Children across the country have fallen behind schedule for critical immunizations, such as measles, while they were quarantined at home, according to recent reports from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Global vaccination efforts also have suffered devastating setbacks. A report released last month co-authored by the World Health Organization shows that “moderate-to-severe disruptions” or