2019 marks the 25th anniversary for the Vaccines for Children program also known as VFC program.
The VFC program provides vaccines at low or no cost to children when their parents do not have insurance coverage or cannot afford vaccines. In 1989 there was a measles epidemic in the U.S. When the CDC investigated the epidemic they found more than half of the children who got the measles had not been vaccinated even though they had been seen by a doctor. These findings helped to bring about the VFC program so that all children could have the opportunity to be vaccinated regardless of a parent/guardi
ans ability to pay.
Is your child adequately vaccinated? If not, what’s stopping you? Currently our nation is facing the possibility of another measles epidemic. Measles is very preventable with a simple vaccination. As of April 4, 2019, 19 states that have reported measles cases to the CDC since January 1, 2019. Neighboring states, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado have reported cases.
Measles is extremely contagious. The CDC reports measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90 percent of those near that person who aren’t immunized will become infected. It spreads through the air and once in the air can infect individuals for up to 2 hours.
The vaccine is very effective and can be given to anyone 12 months of age or older in good health and 2 doses of the MMR vaccine are required for all students K-12 in Utah schools.
Take the time to check you and or your child’s vaccine record to make sure you’re up to date. The old adage is true, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.