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Protect and Prevent
Vaccines protect children from many dangerous diseases, including measles, mumps, whooping cough and chickenpox.
Children who are not vaccinated can become seriously ill, or even die, from these dangerous diseases.
Adults should also be up to date on their vaccinations to help protect themselves and others who cannot get vaccinated, including newborns, pregnant people and people with weak immune systems.
Vaccine Safety
Vaccines are safe and effective. Most reactions to vaccines are mild and may include pain or redness at the injection site. Talk to your child’s health care provider about any concerns.
Vaccines do not cause autism. Scientific studies have found no link between autism and vaccines. For more information, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics at aap.org and search for parental concerns.
Recommended Vaccinations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends ages and time frames for child vaccines. Parents and providers should follow these safe and effective schedules: Visit cdc.gov and search for immunization schedules.
NYC requires certain vaccinations for children ages 2 months to 18 years attending a child care program, public school or private school. For a current school immunization schedule, visit nyc.gov/health and search for student vaccines, or check with your child’s health care provider.
As of June 2019, religious exemptions from immunization requirements are no longer allowed for students in New York.
Stay on Track
In NYC, all vaccines given to children from birth through 18 years must be reported by health care providers to the Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR). To find your child’s vaccination records:
Visit nyc.gov/health and search for CIR.
Call 311 and ask about the CIR.
Ask your child’s health care provider for assistance.
If your child’s records can’t be found, ask your child’s provider to find out which vaccines are needed.
Finding Care
There are many ways to get vaccines for your child, regardless of ability to pay. Talk to your child’s health care provider or:
• Visit the Fort Greene Health Center (for children 4 years and older) or find another vaccination location in your neighborhood at nyc.gov/health/map.
• Find an NYC Health + Hospitals location at nychealthandhospitals.org/health_care.
• Find a community health center at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
• Call 311 and ask about childhood vaccination referrals and school immunization requirements.