Page 20 - The Indian EYE 032026

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MARCH 20, 2026 | The Indian Eye 20

NYC Health Department Launches $1

Million Media Campaign, “Ask Questions,

Get Answers, Vaccinate”

Campaign Aims to Address Vaccination Delays and Disparities, Encouraging Parents to Seek Reliable

Information From Doctors to Protect Children From Preventable Diseases

OUR BUREAU

NEW YORK, NY
he NYC Health Department
has launched a media cam-
Tpaign encouraging parents and
caregivers to protect their children
from preventable diseases by vacci-
nating their kids. The campaign reas-
sures New York City families that it is
normal to have questions about vac-
cines and urges them to seek reliable
information from their child’s doctor.
Since 1994, childhood vaccination in
the U.S. has prevented over 508 ill-
nesses, 32 million hospitalizations,
and saved 1.1 million lives.
This campaign comes when on- ter Martin. “It is deeply concerning to The NYC Health Department is and people who have compromised
time vaccination among the young- see low vaccination coverage among investing $1 million into a 4-week cam- immune systems.
est New Yorkers continues to be low. our youngest and most vulnerable paign, “Ask Questions, Get Answers, As the federal administration
Current data shows approximately children, especially as attacks on vac- Vaccinate.” Ads will be placed across weakens vaccination recommenda-
one-in-three two-year-olds in NYC cination by the federal government television, radio, print news, LinkNYC tions, the NYC Health Department
have not received all doses of seven sow confusion for parents nationwide. kiosks, and transportation hubs, fo- recommends New Yorkers and their
recommended vaccines. By the time As the city’s doctor, I strongly encour- cusing on neighborhoods with low health care providers follow the
they start kindergarten, more than age New York City parents to pro- vaccination rates. Health care provid- American Academy of Pediatrics
90 percent of children in NYC have tect their kids from highly infectious ers across New York City who are part (AAP) 2026 childhood and adoles-
received the vaccines required for preventable diseases that can cause of the Vaccines for Children (VFC) cent immunization schedules. There is
school, but delays in early childhood serious illness, long term health com- program, a federally-funded that en- no new data that supports the recent
vaccination leave younger children plications, and even death. Like many sures children can access necessary changes to the Centers for Disease
susceptible to preventable diseases at health matters, it is understandable to vaccines free of cost, will also be pro- Control and Prevention’s immuniza-
ages when they may be most likely to have questions about immunizations, vided posters and handouts to share tion schedules. By contrast, the AAP
experience severe complications. and I recommend parents talk with with families. In addition, to further childhood and adolescent immuni-
“The truth about childhood vac- their child’s doctor for trusted guid- support parents and caregivers, the zation schedules continue to recom-
cines is that they save 4 million lives ance.” NYC Health Department launched mend immunizations based on rigor-
per year by presenting safe and viable “At a time when widespread a new webpage to accompany the ous research and the specific disease
solutions to some of the most severe misinformation is causing confusion campaign. The webpage provides de- risks and health care delivery context
public health issues,” said NYC Depu- and distrust for families, it’s criti- tailed answers to common questions in the U.S.
ty Mayor for Health and Human Ser- cal that parents know that they can about vaccines and includes links to All New York City children
vices Dr. Helen Arteaga. “As misin- turn to professionals for clear, evi- other trusted vaccination resources. must receive certain vaccinations,
formation becomes more widespread, dence-based guidance,” said Council including DTaP (diphtheria, teta-
it is imperative that we urge families to Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Vaccination Coverage Data nus, acellular pertussis), poliovirus,
ask their physicians for answers about Health Committee. “Vaccines are one Updated twice each year, the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella),
the safety and efficacy of vaccines of the most powerful tools we have to NYC Childhood Vaccination Data varicella (chickenpox), hepatitis B,
that’s based on science, not politics. protect children and keep our com- Explorer provides estimated percent- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type
This campaign is our commitment to munities healthy. I fully support and ages of New York City children who b), and PCV (pneumococcus) to at-
ensuring parents have the information applaud the New York City Health have received recommended vaccines tend school, day care, and summer
necessary to protect the health and Department for investing in outreach and breaks down the data by race and camp in NYC. Vaccination against flu
safety of one of New York’s most at- that meets families where they are and ethnicity, borough, and ZIP code. is also required to attend day care in
risk populations--our children.” addresses the disparities in vaccina- While coverage has remained rel- NYC. Health care providers should
“Vaccines have saved millions of tions rates we continue to see across atively steady over the past five years, discuss with parents the importance
lives and are one of the greatest public our city. Every child in New York de- high rates of vaccination are needed of vaccinating their children on time
health achievements in history,” said serves to be protected from prevent- to protect our communities, including to ensure the best protection against
NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alis- able diseases!” children too young to be vaccinated serious preventable illness.

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