Maria is the mom of a 12-month-old who is due for her next well child check-up with the doctor. Like any other parent, she wants what is best for her child. She knows that getting her daughter vaccinated is an important thing to do to protect her from dangerous diseases.
Unfortunately, Maria does not have medical insurance for her daughter, and she knows vaccines can be expensive. She’s worried her daughter won’t be able to get the vaccines she needs to stay healthy. Then, a family member tells her about the Minnesota Vaccines for Children program.
Through the Minnesota Vaccines for Children program, children 18 years old and younger who do not have medical insurance, are enrolled in Medicaid, are Native American or Alaska Native, or whose insurance doesn’t cover the cost of the vaccine can receive all recommended vaccines free of cost.
If you are worried about how much shots cost, ask your clinic about the Minnesota Vaccines for Children program. Find out if your child can get free or low cost shots by going to this website: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/howpay.html.
Almost all clinics that see children in Minnesota participate in the Minnesota Vaccines for Children program. Ask your clinic if they participate in the Minnesota Vaccines for Children program and if your child can get vaccines free of cost. There may be some other fees you still have to pay when you go to the doctor for the vaccines. You can call your clinic to ask if there are other fees before your visit.
Immunizing your child is one of the most loving things you can do. Getting all recommended shots protects your child and others in the community so disease does not spread. Diseases that used to be common in the United States are rarely seen. That is because vaccines work.
If you are looking for more information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent, look at the Vaccine Information Sheets on this website: www.immunize.org/VIS. They are available in many languages.