LINCOLN – Early April is an exciting but potentially chaotic time for parents with young children as they start the process of Kindergarten Registration. During this time, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services would like to share a reminder with parents to check if their children are up to date on receiving routine vaccines protecting them against preventable diseases such as chickenpox, measles, mumps, and whooping cough. These diseases still threaten the health of children and the community.
“Routine vaccines are an important, safe, and effective tool to prevent and reduce the spread of infectious diseases. Infants and young children’s immune systems are not fully developed, which means they face a greater risk of becoming infected and getting seriously ill,” said DHHS Chief Medical Officer Timothy Tesmer. "Childhood immunizations are not just about preventing illness, they are essential for keeping our kids healthy, in school, and thriving in their daily lives. This important prevention step protects them from preventable diseases, reduces school absences, and allows parents to continue working with peace of mind knowing their kids are safe.”
A resource for Nebraskans is the Nebraska State Immunization Information System (NESIIS). Nebraskans whose primary care providers use NESIIS can securely download their personal (or child’s) immunization information from NESIIS to their Android or iOS mobile device. This makes sharing immunization records from NESIIS quick and easy with healthcare providers, schools, or other organizations. For more information, visit https://dhhs. ne.gov/Pages/Nebraska-Immunization-Information-System.aspx or call 888-433-2510.
“NESIIS can help parents save time during school registration health care appointments because it is as simple as scanning the QR code and signing in to have instant access to immunization records on a phone or tablet,” said Tesmer. “Protecting our children by ensuring they are up to date on their routine vaccinations is a simple and effective way to ensure our communities remain healthy and thrive.”
Another resource for Nebraskans is the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, a federally funded and state-operated vaccine supply program. The VFC program offers vaccines for eligible children for free or at reduced costs. For information regarding VFC eligibility or to find a provider, please visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/VFC-Program.aspx or call 800-798-1696.
If you have questions about which immunizations your child needs, contact your health provider or visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules.
