Immunizations are one of the greatest public health achievements, preventing tens of thousands of deaths, millions of cases of disease, and saving billions of dollars per decade. Immunizations are a safe, effective way to protect children from disease, including some cancers, as well as hospitalization, disability, and death. It is especially important to maintain routine immunizations to prevent a disease outbreak, public health emergency or future pandemic.
In a joint statement from the West Virginia Chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the two medical associations addressed the recent updates from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) related to the routine childhood immunization schedule. The statement affirmed the importance of immunizing children in accordance with the AAP and AAFP childhood immunization schedules to help keep newborns, infants, and children protected from diseases they could be exposed to as they develop and grow.
West Virginians ages 6 months and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination (and those ages 6 months and older who are due for an annual flu shot can get COVID-19 and flu shots at the same time).
Many locations have COVID-19 vaccines readily available.
