The New York State Department of Health is urging families to check their children’s vaccination status as the new school year approaches, in recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month. The Department is also advising adults to ensure they are up to date with all recommended vaccines, 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.”
State law requires children attending nursery schools, pre-kindergarten programs, and grades K-12 to receive all required vaccinations appropriate for their age and grade level according to the New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance.
Most private health insurance plans cover vaccinations. For those without coverage, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program provides 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 and more than 1 million deaths nationwide among children born between 1994 and 2023.
The Department also emphasized that adults can be vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases and encouraged them to consult the CDC’s Adult Immunization Schedule to determine which vaccines may be needed.
Eligible adults may access free immunizations through the NYS Vaccines for Adults program. Information about vaccine recommendations for international travel is available online.
The Department highlighted that U.S. vaccine supplies are currently at their most effective levels ever recorded, with robust systems ensuring safety standards remain high. More information about vaccine safety can be found online.
Additional resources on New York’s immunization laws and regulations are available from state authorities.
