The New York State Department of Health is observing National Immunization Awareness Month by urging residents to check their children’s vaccination records before the new school year begins. The department also recommends that adults review their own vaccine status, including for COVID-19.
“Nationally, we see increases in vaccine preventable disease. This does not need to happen in New York, or in your city or in your home. Decades of research show that vaccines are the best protection to prevent disease and save lives,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “National Immunization Awareness Month serves as a timely reminder for parents, guardians and pediatricians to ensure that children’s vaccines are up to date for the back-to-school season.”
According to state regulations, students entering nursery schools, pre-kindergarten programs, and grades K-12 must have all required immunizations appropriate for their age and grade level.
Most private health insurance plans cover vaccines. For families whose insurance does not include vaccine coverage, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program offers recommended immunizations at no cost for eligible children under 19 years old.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found that routine childhood vaccinations have prevented hundreds of millions of illnesses, tens of millions of hospitalizations, and over one million deaths among U.S. children born between 1994 and 2023.
The department noted that National Immunization Awareness Month is an opportunity to remind people about the benefits of vaccines across all age groups. Adults can use the CDC’s Adult Immunization Schedule to determine which vaccines they may need.
Eligible adults can receive certain immunizations free through the NYS Vaccines for Adults program. The department also provides information on recommended vaccines for international travelers.
Officials say the United States currently has its most effective vaccine supply ever, with safety systems in place. They emphasize that vaccination remains the best defense against serious but preventable diseases.
More details about New York’s immunization laws and regulations are available on the state health department website.
