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
October 7, 2024 PA Department of Health Sends Immunization Survey to Providers With October Deadline The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is sending a survey regarding child care immunization records to all licensed providers. Learn More The annual reporting of immunizations by all licensed child care providers is a state requirement. In recent years, the requirement was met by the DOH and County Municipal Health Department (CMHD) staff visiting a random sample of providers to review and document the status of immunization records. However, this method did not give the DOH a complete picture of the immunization status of child care providers statewide or identify areas of the state that could benefit from additional education or vaccination services. As a result, the process to meet state reporting requirements has changed this year and involves two processes that have or will take place: The DOH and CMHD staff visited a random sample of providers over the summer but only to educate, provide resource materials, and help providers read and understand vaccination records A new Child Care Reporting survey is now required. It needs to be completed by all licensed child care providers even if they received a visit by a DOH or CMHD staff member this summer. The survey will be used to assist the DOH in identifying areas of the state that may require additional education and outreach services regarding immunizations and vaccine availability. Once a provider submits the survey, a copy of responses will be emailed to the address listed on the survey. The survey must be completed by no later than Thursday, Oct. 31.
