September 9, 2025 PA Partnerships for Children: MMR Vaccines for Children Trending Downward in State Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children has released a new fact sheet on kindergarten immunizations as the 2025-26 school year begins. Learn More The fact sheet primarily focuses on vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) among Pennsylvania kindergarteners and emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated for public health. Data in the fact sheet focuses on MMR vaccines because of the resurgence of measles cases around the United States. However, other childhood vaccines for Pennsylvania kindergarteners – such as ones for whooping cough and polio – are also trending downward. For the second consecutive year, the state’s MMR coverage rate for kindergarteners fell below the 95% target following the 8,000 children who were not up to date during the previous school year. Coverage rates vary by county, with 44 Pennsylvania counties below 95% and eight below 90%. Vaccination rates have decreased, while exemptions – mostly for religious reasons – have increased. National MMR coverage is 93%, with only 11 states meeting the 95% target. Decreasing vaccination rates heighten the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles. As the 2025-26 school year begins, caregivers are encouraged to schedule wellness checkups and discuss vaccine safety with their doctors. There are free or low-cost health insurance options for families through Medicaid, CHIP, or the state’s health insurance marketplace, Pennie. The state Department of Health offers free vaccines for uninsured children or those whose insurance does not cover immunizations through the Vaccines for Children Program. To learn more, check out the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children fact sheet.
August 11, 2025 August Is National Immunization Month National Immunization Month is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. Learn More Every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages parents to ensure that their children’s immunizations are up-to-date as part of back-to-school preparations. According to recent CDC vaccination numbers, a large majority of children – between 80% and 92% – were vaccinated for routine immunizations, such as polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and other diseases. However, just less than 50% were vaccinated for the flu as of late April, while only 13% of children were up-to-date with the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health requested that all licensed child care providers complete the Annual Child Care Immunization Survey by Friday, Sept. 19 to meet state reporting requirements. Resources Below is a list of resources for educators and parents, including information on vaccines, immunization schedules, and answers to frequently-asked questions: American Academy of Pediatrics – Healthychildren.org Immunization Page CDC easy-to-read immunization schedules CDC’s vaccine website for parents Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program: Information
August 2, 2019 National Immunization Awareness Month Immunizations (also called shots or vaccinations) help keep us healthy and safe from serious diseases. As August is National Immunization Awareness Month, take this time to check in on which shots you or your child needs and when to get them. About Vaccinations can prevent serious diseases like the flu, measles, and pneumonia. As an example, at age 6 months and older, everyone is highly encouraged to get a flu shot every year. However, many other shots work best when they are administered at certain ages. Talk to your doctor or nurse to make sure that everyone in your family gets the shots they need and use the resources below for access to more information: Do you have a child age six or younger? Find out what shots your child needs. Checking in for yourself as an adult? Use this chart to see if you’re up-to-date on your shots. Are you pregnant? Check out this recommended immunization schedule. Assistance If you can’t afford vaccinations for your child, the PA Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) provides vaccinations at no cost to children who might not otherwise receive them. You can also apply for the PA Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which includes coverage of vaccinations. For information on the VFC program, call 1.888.646.6864. For information on CHIP, call 1.800.986.5437. Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key
