(Washington, DC,  Friday, February 16, 2024) – Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to help protect children from many serious and potentially deadly diseases. Unfortunately, the number of children in the U.S. who are up to date on routine vaccinations has declined in recent years, putting them at increased risk for infection.

As we are at the height of respiratory illness season, this continued backslide in childhood immunizations and low rates of COVID-19 vaccination is especially alarming. Equitable access to childhood immunizations and improved awareness of vaccine coverage for uninsured or underinsured children are critical to improving uptake. For children who may not be vaccinated because of inability to pay, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, a federally funded program, provides parents with access to free vaccines for their children.

Board-certified pediatrician Dr. Michelle Fiscus, chief medical officer at the Association of Immunization Managers, explains the importance of vaccines for children.

SOUNDBITE 1:

VACCINES ARE AMONG THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO HELP PROTECT CHILDREN FROM MANY SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY DISEASES. UNFORTUNATELY, THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE U.S. WHO ARE UP TO DATE ON ROUTINE VACCINATIONS HAS DECLINED IN RECENT YEARS, PUTTING THEM AT INCREASED RISK FOR INFECTION.

SOUNDBITE 2:

COST SHOULD NEVER BE A BARRIER TO GETTING CHILDREN THE VACCINATIONS THEY NEED TO STAY HEALTHY. PARENTS MAY NOT KNOW THAT ALL RECOMMENDED CHILDHOOD VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE AT NO COST, EITHER THROUGH COMMERCIAL INSURANCE OR THE FEDERAL VACCINES FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM.

For more information, please visit cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/