Fidelis Care Reminds Parents to Vaccinate Their Children as Part of National Infant Immunization Week

QUEENS, NY (04/23/2012)(readMedia)-- Fidelis Care, the New York State Catholic Health Plan, urges parents to ensure that their children's vaccinations are up-to-date as part of National Infant Immunization Week, April 21-28.

The New York State Department of Health requires that infants and toddlers receive a series of vaccinations before their second birthday. These vaccinations are designed to keep dangerous and contagious diseases in check, protecting both the child's and community's health. Unfortunately, there has been a recent trend of parents not vaccinating their children as required, and an associated increase in the outbreak of diseases that were once firmly under control.

There are a variety of reasons parents do not have their children vaccinated. Some lack insurance and assume they can not afford to take their child for regular doctor visits. Others have read stories linking vaccinations to autism, and are afraid of risking side effects. Cultural differences may foster an inherent distrust of vaccinations, and residency status makes some immigrant families fearful of going to the doctor.

For many parents the issue is not lack of access to vaccinations, it is an inherent distrust of the safety of vaccines. A decade-old study indicated a link between the common measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and the increased prevalence of autism. This study has been medically discredited. Numerous studies, and many years of experience with millions of children, have demonstrated that modern vaccines are safe and effective and critically important to maintaining public health.

"Vaccinations are safe, effective, and one of the most important things a parent can do to protect their child's health," said Sanjiv Shah, M.D., Fidelis Care's Chief Medical Officer. "Basic preventative care, such as keeping vaccinations up-to-date, and ensuring that children receive regular checkups from their doctor, are essential to giving children a healthy start in life."

The required series of vaccinations before age two includes diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, pneumonia, meningitis, polio, hepatitis B, influenza, chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella. In addition to the vaccinations, Fidelis Care recommends that children receive six wellness checkups from their pediatrician, as well as one dental checkup before their second birthday. As part of their pediatric checkups, children also should be screened for lead exposure.

To help ensure quality care for members and promote childhood immunizations among its membership, Fidelis Care has developed a colorful program for parents of young children called "Shots or Spots" - which puts the choice in very clear terms. While a shot might be a momentary discomfort, it is certainly preferable to a young child contracting a dangerous and preventable disease.

Fidelis Care is mindful that approximately 343,000 children in New York State do not have health insurance. There simply is no reason for this. Almost every child in the State is entitled to free or low-cost health insurance coverage through New York State's Child Health Plus program, which covers checkups and all required vaccinations, regardless of family income. Parents who do not have insurance for their children, and those with residency concerns who do not qualify for coverage under Medicaid or Child Health Plus, can have their children vaccinated at a local community health clinic or Federally Qualified Health Center. Vaccines are made available through public health initiatives such as New York state's Vaccines for Children program to ensure that every child is protected against infectious diseases.

In addition to Child Health Plus, Fidelis Care also offers quality, affordable health insurance coverage through the Family Health Plus and Medicaid Managed Care programs, as well as a variety of benefit options for seniors through Fidelis Medicare Advantage, Dual Advantage, Medicaid Advantage Plus, and Fidelis Care at Home programs, available in certain counties. Members are covered for regular checkups, preventive care, routine screenings, hospital and emergency care, eye exams, dental care, and more.

With nearly 755,000 members in 59 counties statewide, Fidelis Care was founded on the belief that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance. Members have access to a provider network of more than 49,000 health care professionals statewide. Regional offices are located in Albany, Syracuse, Amherst, and Rego Park (Queens), with satellite offices in Rochester, Poughkeepsie, and Suffern.

For information on Child Health Plus, or any of Fidelis Care's quality, affordable health insurance programs, please call 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) or visit fideliscare.org.