The Power of
Vaccines
Vaccines are one of the most remarkable public health achievements ever, providing each of us with the power to stop from getting sick. Millions of vaccines have been given over the past century, significantly reducing death rates and nearly eliminating numerous diseases.
Vaccines for Children
Children are exposed to thousands of germs every day. Since their immune systems are still developing and they are highly vulnerable, vaccines give them the power so they can fight against these germs and the diseases they carry. Without the vaccines, they face severe complications and even death.
Making sure your child receives the recommended routine vaccines is one of the best things you can do to protect them from serious diseases.
Making Sure You Are Covered
To help provide vaccines for those in need, a specific Vaccines for Children program provides free vaccines for children birth through 18 years who meet certain criteria: On Medicaid or Kentucky Child Health Insurance Program (KCHIP); Have no health insurance; Are American Indian or Alaskan Native; or who have health insurance that does not cover immunizations.
Vaccines provided through the VFC program include: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Haemophilus Influenza Type B, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Pneumococcal Conjugate, Influenza, Rotavirus, Meningococcal, and Human Papillomavirus vaccines.
Vaccines through the VFC program are available at our county health centers.
Recommended Schedules
The Centers for Disease Control recommend children receive the vaccines at specific times during their development. The recommended vaccination schedule balances when a child is likely to be exposed to a disease and when a vaccine will be most effective. They are also tested to ensure they can be given safely and effectively at the recommended ages.
Those schedules are Birth through 6 years old and 7-18 years old.
Kentucky Requirements
Kentucky law requires children meet manditory immunization requirements in order to attend day care in a center or home, preschool, and private or public primary and secondary schools. Those requirements are:
Immunization Records
Residents of Kentucky may access their or their minor’s official immunization record for free through the secure Kentucky Immunization Registry (KYIR) public portal. Portal users may choose to receive a .pdf copy of their complete records, school certificates for students younger than 18, or COVID-19 vaccine record. GO TO KYIR WEBSITE
Vaccine Video Guide for Parents
By the American Academy of Pediatricians
Vaccines for Adults
Vaccine Facts
How Vaccines Work
Vaccines help the body learn how to defend itself from disease by mimicking an infection. The body creates antigens to fight the fake infection, thereby strengthening its natural defense system. LEARN MORE
History
Dating back to the 1700s and the creation of the smallpox vaccine, vaccines have helped protect against – and in some cases eradicate – a wide range of diseases. Today, there are vaccines against 33 human diseases. LEARN MORE
Effectiveness
We now have vaccinations against 33 life-threatening diseases, with World Health Organization studies finding that 154 million lives have been saved in the last 50 years as a result. LEARN MORE
Safety
Vaccines are among the safest medical products around, having been administered to billions of people over the last 50 years with great success. They are studied more in-depth and in larger populations than other drugs before they are approved. And once they are approved, they are subject of multiple layers of safety measures that continue as long as the vaccines are distributed. LEARN MORE
The Science Behind the Success
Every scientific authority recommends routine vaccination, including: The World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Practitioners
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, American Pharmacists Association, and National Academy of Medicine. Also, every state and local health department, and children’s hospital recommend vaccines.