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DUPAGE COUNTY – August is National Immunization Awareness Month and the perfect time to make sure your child is up to date with their routine vaccinations. The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is encouraging parents to add vaccinations to the top of their back-to-school checklist.
Illinois immunization requirements for children and adolescents enrolling in childcare or school are aligned with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. To learn more, see the IDPH 2023-2024 School Immunization Requirements.
Many children missed check-ups and recommended childhood vaccinations during the pandemic. While schools are taking many steps to limit the spread of COVID-19 at school, there remain other diseases, such as measles and chickenpox, which pose a threat to our children, staff, and school community. The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that children catch up on routine childhood vaccinations and get back on track for childcare, school, and beyond.
“Vaccinations play an important role in keeping kids healthy – in school, playing sports, and in social activities,” said Adam Forker, Executive Director, DuPage County Health Department.“We need all of our children to be up to date on their immunizations. It’s not too late to get a healthy start to a new school year.”
Immunizations are among the most successful, safe, and cost-effective public health toolsavailable for preventing disease and premature death. We can prevent diseases such as whooping cough (pertussis), chickenpox, mumps, influenza, and COVID-19 by making sure children receive on-time vaccinations.
DCHD reminds parents to schedule and discuss routine vaccinations with their children’s primary care provider. In addition, childhood immunizations are available at DCHD through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program for all children who do not have insurance, with insurance that does not cover immunizations, or children who are Medicaid eligible.
The VFC program helps eligible children get their vaccines at no cost and according to the recommended immunization schedule, which has contributed directly to a substantial increase in childhood immunization coverage levels, making a significant contribution to the elimination of disparities in vaccination coverage among young children.
Additional VFC providers can be found through the VFC Provider Search. For more information about the VFC program, please call DCHD at (630) 682-7400.
