For Specific Groups of People:
American Indian / Alaska Native Vaccination
Protect the Circle of Life: Immunize Our Nations
"Let us put our minds together to see what life we can make for our children." --Sitting Bull, Lakota Sioux, 1877
On This Page:
Why Immunize Our Children
Responsibility to our communities
Ensuring the safety and health of our American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities is our responsibility. If enough people in our communities are protected, vaccine-preventable diseases will not be passed to our children, our families, and our communities.
Responsibility to our families
It is especially important to ensure the health of our families. An infant's immune system does not yet have the necessary defenses to fight off infectious diseases. This makes our children more susceptible to these illnesses. Immunization is one of the most important tools we have to protect our children from disease.
Vaccines protect people
Immunization protects people. Some vaccine-preventable diseases affect AI/AN people at a higher rate compared to other populations.
Vaccines Can Prevent These Diseases
- Bacterial Meningitis
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German measles)
- Polio
- Diphtheria, Pertussis, (whooping cough), Tetanus, (lockjaw)
- Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B
- Pneumococcal diseases
- Influenza (flu)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Rotavirus
- Zoster (shingles)
But I've never even seen some of these diseases!
Today, we see fewer people getting sick from these diseases in the U.S. The reason is that responsible healthcare providers and parents have given millions of children vaccines over the past years.
But don't be fooled. Those diseases are still out there. If we stop giving our children vaccines, the diseases that made people sick and even killed them only a few years ago will return.
Respect the circle:
- By taking preventive measures, such as getting immunizations against disease...
- By ensuring that our communities thrive mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically...
- By respecting the connection between our physical health and our environment health...
Where Immunizations Are Provided
Immunizations are provided for AI/AN people free of charge at Indian Health Service, Tribal and Urban facilities located in 35 states. Vaccines can also be administered by most health care providers at low or no cost.
Where can I get my child vaccinated?
- Indian Health Service, Tribal and Urban facilities
- Local health departments
- Community, urban or rural health center clinics
-
Vaccines for Children participating provider*
*American Indian and Alaska Native children 0 through 18 years of age can get vaccines at no cost through the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC). Ask if your healthcare provider is a "VFC" participating provider.
Vaccination Coverage Levels
Good news! For the first time, the National Immunization Survey (NIS) has reported coverage levels for the Alaska Native population as a distinct population group. Survey results show the success of combined vaccination strategies: vaccination coverage among Alaska Native populations has already exceeded initial goals. To learn more, read the following articles.
Vaccination Coverage of American Indian/Alaska Native Children Aged 19 to 35 Months: Findings From the National Immunization Survey, 1998–2000
Source: American Journal of Public Health, December 2003
Vaccination Coverage Levels Among Alaska Native Children Aged 19-35 Months -- National Immunization Survey, United States, 2000-2001*
Source: MMWR* August 1, 2003 / 52(30);710-713
*Note: The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The data in the weekly MMWR are provisional, based on weekly reports to CDC by state health departments.
Brochures and Flyers
Immunize Our Children Tri-fold Brochure
(2 pages / front and back) UPDATED April 2009
- tri-fold brochure for office printing [PDF - 3MB]
- tri-fold brochure for commercial printer [PDF - 3MB]
- Text-only (for screen reader devices)
- Brochures for AI/AN women about genital HPV May 2009
- Flyers for American Indian parents of pre-teens (images below) August 2009
Posters
Immunize Our Nations Poster UPDATED May 2009
- Color for office printing** [PDF - 9MB]
This poster is 10.8" x 14.35" which fits on 11” x 17” paper. - Color for professional press printing** [PDF - 19MB]
This poster fits 18" x 24" paper.**WARNING: Due to the enormous size of this file, please be patient while the image appears.
- Black & white for office printing [PDF - 1MB]
This poster fits 11" x 17" paper.
- Text-only [RTF - 9KB] (for screen-reader devices)
Immunize Our Children Poster UPDATED May 2009
- Color for office printing** [PDF - 14MB]
This poster is 10.8" x 14.35" which fits on 11” x 17” paper. - Color for professional press printing** [PDF - 29MB]
This poster fits 18" x 24" paper.
**WARNING: Due to the enormous size of this file, please be patient while the image appears.
- Black & white for office printing [PDF - 1.5MB]
This poster fits 11" x 17" paper. - Text-only [RTF - 10KB] (for screen-reader devices)
Reproduction instructions:
- Downloading and using PDF files
- Reproducing materials on your office printer, at a local copy center, or at a commercial printer
See also:
- Posters for American Indian parents of pre-teens (images below) August 2009
Links to Government Sites
HHS CMS site for American Indians and Alaska Natives
Indian Health Service: Immunizations
Office of Minority Health: AI/AN Population statistics
National Hepatitis B Initiative for Asian Americans/Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders
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Content last reviewed on April 5, 2010
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases