New York State Department of Health Recognizes National Immunization Awareness Month

All New Yorkers Are Encouraged to Stay Up to Date on Immunizations

Parents and Guardians Should Speak With Their Health Care Provider to Discuss Updating Their Child's Vaccination for Upcoming School Year

Albany N.Y. (August 14, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health recognizes National Immunization Awareness Month and encourages New Yorkers to review their children's vaccination status before the start of the new school year. The Department also recommends that adults ensure they are current with vaccines including the COVID-19 vaccine.

"Decades of research show that vaccines prevent disease, save lives, and are safe and effective," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time for parents, guardians and pediatricians make sure that children's vaccines are up to date before students head back to school."

Children attending pre-kindergarten through 12th grade must receive all doses of the required vaccines for their age and school year according to New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance.

Vaccines are covered under most private health insurance providers. Parents or guardians of children whose insurance does not cover vaccines can still get their children vaccinated. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program provides all recommended vaccines at no cost for children under age 19 who qualify.

Routine childhood vaccinations will have prevented hundreds of millions of lifetime cases of illnesses, tens of millions of hospitalizations and more than 1 million deaths nationwide among people born between 1994 and 2023, according to a recent report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While the COVID-19 vaccine is not required for school attendance, the Department recommends everyone speak to their health care provider about staying up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine. Though numbers remain low compared to the height of the pandemic, the data since June shows an increase in COVID-19 hospital admissions. The Department reminds New Yorkers who have symptoms to test for COVID-19. Those who test positive should contact their health care provider about possible treatment, which has shown to be effective at reducing the chances of serious outcomes, including hospitalization or death.

National Immunization Month is also a time to highlight the efficacy of vaccines for people of all ages and the success against infections of all kinds. Adults of all ages can be susceptible to disease, and therefore can benefit from updates to their vaccination status. Adults can find which vaccines they may need with the Center for Disease Control's Vaccine Assessment Tool.

The NYS Vaccines for Adults program provides vaccines at no cost to eligible adults. Learn more here. Additionally, information on vaccine recommendations for international travel can be found here.

The U.S. has the most effective vaccine supply in its history with systems in place that ensure vaccines are safe. Vaccination is the best protection from preventable serious diseases. Learn more about vaccine safety, here.

Find more information on New York's Immunization Laws and Regulations, here.