Help Protect Our Babies

The first years of your baby’s life are some of the most important in terms of development and growth. During this time, your baby is vulnerable to potentially serious infections, such as measles, whooping cough, and invasive pneumococcal disease. Since children under the age of two are at a higher risk because their immune systems are still developing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccines to help protect children from potentially serious illnesses.

Still, there are many African American children who don’t receive the full series of CDC-recommended vaccines. According to the 2017 National Immunization Survey, 34% of African American children aged 19-35 months nationwide were not fully vaccinated with the full series of seven of the CDC's most common recommended childhood vaccines. As parents, getting our children vaccinated, with all doses at the scheduled times, is one of the most important steps we can take to help protect them from potentially serious illness.

Families without vaccine insurance coverage may be eligible for vaccines at reduced or no cost through the Vaccines for Children program (VFC).

Explore the resources below to learn more about the importance of vaccination and how you can help make sure your children receive all their CDC-recommended vaccinations on time. For more information, speak to your child’s healthcare provider.