Access to Vaccines

Thanks to vaccines, we can maintain stronger immune systems to protect against serious, often preventable illnesses like measles, flu, and more. Protecting more than just our own bodies, vaccines keep us healthier as a family and a community allowing us to build stronger immunities that lead to stronger communities.

It is always better to prevent a disease than to treat one after it occurs.

Immunizations for Respiratory Viruses Prevention

For information about specific immunizations, visit:

Flu (influenza)

COVID-19

RSV

Ask a health care provider which vaccines are recommended for you.

2025-26 Vaccine Recommendations for Specific Groups

Flu (Influenza)

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, should get a flu vaccine every season.
  • People who live with or care for children, especially those younger than 6 months: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that people who live with or care for children, especially those younger than 6 months, should get a flu vaccine to help protect this high-risk group.
  • Pregnant people: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that people who are pregnant should get a flu vaccine to protect their babies and themselves from the flu.
    • Pregnant people can get the flu vaccine at any time during their pregnancy, but it is best to get the vaccine early in the flu season (October through May).
    • People who are pregnant and have a medical condition that increases their risk of flu complications should consider getting vaccinated before flu season begins.

COVID-19

  • Children: AAP recommends that all children ages 6 to 23 months get the COVID-19 vaccine, along with children and teens ages 2 to 18 years who are at high risk for severe COVID-19.
    • Children and teens ages 2 to 18 years who are not at high risk for severe COVID-19 can still get vaccinated this season for strong protection against COVID-19. Parents and other caregivers of children should talk to a health care professional about accessing the vaccine.
  • Pregnant people: ACOG recommends that pregnant people receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine at any point during their pregnancy, when planning to become pregnant, in the postpartum period, or when lactating.
  • Adults who are not at high risk for severe COVID-19: The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends that people ages 19-64 get one or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and people ages 65 years and older get two or more doses. The COVID-19 vaccine dosage and type that’s best for a person is based on their vaccination history and other factors. People should talk to a health care professional about the COVID-19 vaccine that’s best for them this season, and where to access it.

Note: The list of high-risk conditions for severe COVID-19 is extensive and includes asthma, pregnancy, depression, and other common conditions. People should check with their health care provider to determine whether they are considered high-risk.

For Health Professionals: Download PDF Version of Risk Factors

RSV

  • Children: The CDC recommends that all infants whose mother did not receive RSV vaccine during pregnancy, and some children ages 8-19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV.
  • Pregnant people: The CDC recommends that all pregnant women during weeks 32-36 of their pregnancy.
  • Adults 50 and older: The CDC recommends the following groups get an RSV vaccine:
    • Everyone ages 75 and older
    • Adults ages 50–74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease get an RSV vaccine.

Childhood Vaccinations

Keeping up to date with vaccines is one of the best ways to protect children from serious diseases. Routine childhood vaccination in the United States has been very successful in preventing illness and death. Serious diseases such as diphtheria, mumps, and rubella, once common at young ages, are now practically unheard of. Let’s keep it that way.

Clarification on Recent HHS and CDC Updates

On January 5, the CDC reduced the number of vaccines it recommends for children from 17 to 11, following a presidential directive without input from the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee and without an evident scientific rationale. Under the revised guidance, the CDC now divides recommended childhood vaccines into three categories: all, high-risk, and shared clinical decision-making. This has caused confusion among parents and providers, potentially affecting vaccination decisions and insurance coverage. The following are important notes to keep in mind about the updated CDC childhood immunization schedule:

  • Healthcare Professional Organization Recommended Childhood Schedules Are Unchanged: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) have not changed their childhood vaccine recommendations and following these schedules provides infants, children, adolescents, and adults with the best protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.
  • Shared clinical decision-making (SCDM): The routine practice of a healthcare provider (defined by CDC as a nurse, pharmacist or physician) informing parents of risks and benefits before their decision to vaccinate remains the same as before the revised guidance. There is no requirement to have a medical appointment or a doctor referral to receive any vaccines that is classified as SCDM.
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs Remain Unchanged: HHS affirmed in its announcement that all childhood vaccines, including those moved to SCDM, remain covered with no out-of-pocket cost by private insurance plans regulated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or federal insurance programs such as Medicaid.
  • Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program Remains Unchanged: There has been no change to vaccines approved for use through the VFC Program, which covers all vaccines on the schedule, including SCDM.
  • Hepatitis B Vaccination of Newborns Is Permitted: Providing hepatitis B vaccination at birth for optimal protection remains a choice for mothers who test negative for hepatitis B. The schedule change does not require mothers to delay vaccination.

Health and Economic Benefits of Routine Childhood Immunizations

Routine childhood vaccination programs have1:

  • Prevented 508 million lifetime cases of illness
  • Prevented 32 million hospitalizations
  • Prevented 1,129,00 deaths
  • Saved a total of $540 billion (direct costs) and $2.7 trillion in societal costs.
    • Every $1 invested on routine childhood vaccination results in a savings of approximately $11.

Learn When to Get Your Child Vaccinated

As doctors, medical researchers and public health experts learn more about diseases and other vaccines became available for children, recommendations are updated collaboratively to ensure vaccines remain safe and effective and to keep children healthy and active. In turn, this has made our communities happier and healthier.

Getting vaccines at the recommended ages protects children at the earliest age possible from serious vaccine-preventable diseases. For a time line of when your child should receive each vaccination, refer to the recommended immunization schedule for children.

Current Pediatrician Recommended Vaccinations for Children (0-6 years old)

Current Recommended Vaccinations for Adolescents (7-18 years old)

Twelve national organizations representing more than 1 million clinicians, physicians, pharmacists and other pediatric health care professionals agree with the AAP immunization schedule. These groups endorse it:

  • American Academy of Family Physicians
  • American College of Nurse Midwives
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • American Medical Association
  • American Pharmacists Association
  • Council of Medical Specialty Societies
  • Infectious Diseases Society of America
  • National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
  • National Medical Association
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
  • Pediatric Pharmacy Association
  • Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine

Vaccine Cost and Insurance Coverage

  • Most health care insurance plans cover the annual flu vaccination as preventive care. Flu vaccination is often available at no or low cost to people who do not have insurance.
    • Walgreens pharmacies are providing a limited number of free flu vaccine vouchers on a first come, first served basis. Talk to the pharmacy staff about availability at your local Walgreens location.
    • Genoa Healthcare is offering the following vaccines at no cost to you through the end of March 2026: flu, COVID-19, pneumonia and shingles. No insurance or ID is required. Walk into their location at 2221 Phillip St., Suite G, New Orleans, LA 70113, Monday-Friday 8 a.m-4:30 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:30-1 p.m.) and receive the vaccines you need.
  • AHIP issued the following statement on September 16, 2025, regarding vaccines and insurance coverage:
    "Health plans will continue to cover all ACIP-recommended immunizations that were recommended as of September 1, 2025, including updated formulations of the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, with no cost-sharing for patients through the end of 2026."
  • If you don't have insurance, there may be options for no-cost or low-cost vaccinations at community vaccination events.

Manning Family Children's hosts multiple no-cost mobile vaccination events across the Greater New Orleans area each month. For more information about their vaccination program and to view the latest schedule and locations, visit their Immunization Program website.

Manning Family Children's Immunization Program

Vaccines for Children Program

The goal of the VFC Program is to ensure that a VFC Program-eligible child does not contract a vaccine-preventable disease because of their parent's or guardian's inability to pay for the vaccine. The program serves children through 18 years of age who meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN)
  • Medicaid-eligible
  • Uninsured
  • Underinsured

Provider Search

There are many clinics throughout the greater New Orleans area that are enrolled Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers. Use the following search tool for a map of current locations.

1 Zhou, F., Jatlaoui, T. C., Leidner, A. J., Carter, R. J., Dong, X., Santoli, J. M., Stokley, S., Daskalakis, D. C., & Peacock, G. (2024). Health and Economic Benefits of Routine Childhood Immunizations in the Era of the Vaccines for Children Program - United States, 1994-2023. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 73(31), 682–685. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7331a2