It is very important that children receive vaccinations to protect them against many childhood diseases. The national and statewide rate of childhood vaccinations rose across the board last year. However San Antonio is not doing as well, according to the Center of Disease Control's National Immunization Survey.
Bexar County is the only county in the State of Texas that the rate of childhood vaccinations dropped last year.
There is no excuse for your children missing their vaccinations. With the free vaccination program by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (SAMHD) low income, uninsured or underinsured families can get all their children's immunizations at no cost.
SAMD Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program is a federally funded, vaccine supply program. These vaccines protect children against Diphtheria, Haemophilus influenza type B, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Pertussis, Poliomyelitis, Tetanus, Varicella, and Pneumococcal disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Immunization Program, approximately one in four children in the United States newborn to 2-year-olds are not properly immunized against infectious diseases.
Children through the age of 18 are eligible if they fall into one of the following categories:
- Enrolled in Medicaid
- Uninsured
- Underinsured (insurance does not cover immunizations)
- American Indian/Alaskan Native
- Enrolled in CHIP
Ask your doctor about the VFC Program. VFC provides the vaccines at no charge to health care providers. Or call (210) 207-8894 and schedule an appointment for your children's vaccinations today.