Immunization Program 

Purpose 

To help reduce the likelihood of vaccine-preventable diseases by helping assure children, seniors, and everyone in between receives the vaccines they need.

 
 
 Get Involved

The Adult Immunization Coalition of Cortland County works to increase vaccination rates in adult members of the community, including COVID-19 and Flu. The coalition identifies, implements, and monitors the effectiveness of one or more evidence based intervention each year.

 

Coalition Meetings: The coalition meets each quarter and is open to community members. The coalition is recruiting community members to serve as vaccine ambassadors.

 

Contact: Suzanne Osterhoudt sosterhoudt@cortland-co.org 

New York School Entrance Requirements

 

 View the 2022-2023 New York State school immunization requirements. 

Important NYS School Vaccination Information

Within 14 days of the first day of school or day care, parents must:

  • Show proof of their child's up-to-date vaccinations, OR
  • Provide a valid medical exemption from vaccination.

In order to attend or remain in school or day care, children who are unvaccinated or overdue must receive at least the first dose of all required vaccines within the first 14 days. They also must receive subsequent vaccines in the series within a 14-day period of when they are due to complete the immunization series.

Vaccines required for day care, pre-K, and school attendance

  • Diphtheria and Tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine and Pertussis vaccine (DTaP or Tdap)
  • Hepatitis B vaccine
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR)
  • Polio vaccine
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine

Additional vaccines required for middle school and high school

  • Tdap vaccine for Grades 6-12
  • Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) for Grades 7-12
    • Students in Grade 12 need an additional booster dose of MenACWY on or after their 16th birthday

Additional vaccines required for day care and pre-K

  • Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine (HiB)
  • Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (PCV)

Common vaccine questions

  • Is it safe for my child to have more than one shot at a time? Yes! Scientific data show that getting multiple vaccines at the same time is safe. It also means fewer doctor's office visits which can be less stressful for your child.
  • How do I know vaccines are safe? The U.S. has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history, and vaccine safety systems to ensure that vaccines are as safe as possible.
  • Why are so many doses needed for each vaccine? Depending on the vaccine, your child will need more than one dose to build high enough immunity to prevent disease or to boost immunity that fades over time. Every dose is important because each protects against infectious diseases that can be especially serious for infants and children.
  • Is it more natural for my child to get the disease than a vaccine? Some diseases give your child future protection from that disease, but they also can make your child very sick, and they could spread it to other loved ones. Vaccines protect your child against future infections without making them sick.
  • How can I help my child relax at their next vaccine visit? 9 Things to Make Shots Less Stressful for You and Your Baby

Public Clinics


Provide routine immunizations for uninsured and under insured persons 2 months of age and older. Two clinics are held each month at the County Office Building. Persons with insurance will be referred to their primary care provider.


Appointments


Visits are by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call 607-753-5203

 

What to Bring to Immunization Visit


We only provide services for the uninsured, underinsured, or those with Medicaid but not a primary care provider. Bring your insurance card if advised to do so at the time an appointment is made. Your immunization record, this is a record that was given to you in which the doctor's office or clinic has written the immunizations that were given. An immunization record is started when a child receives his/her first vaccination and should be updated at each vaccination visit.


Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.


Immunization Recommendations for Healthcare Workers


Healthcare workers are at risk for exposure to and possible transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases. Therefore, maintenance of immunity is an essential part of prevention and infection control. For more information view the Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations (PDF).


View the Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Pink Book). The pink book provides physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and others with the most comprehensive information on vaccine-preventable diseases.


Vaccines for Travel


Travel vaccines are not provided at the immunization clinic.


A travel clinic is located in Dryden, New York at:

Family Practice Associates of Dryden

83 Lewis Street

Dryden, NY 13053

607-844-8201


Find more information about travel immunization view Immunizations for Travelers (PDF).


Healthy People 2020 Goal


The New York State Immunization Program, in conjunction with the Healthy People Year 2010 goals, seeks to meet or exceed a 90% statewide immunization coverage level for two-year-old children. The National Immunization Survey indicates that only 66.6% of children in New York, excluding New York City, are age-appropriately immunized by the age of 24 months.


Additional Resources for Immunization Information


Assessment, Feedback, Incentives, & Exchange (AFIX)


AFIX is a quality improvement strategy to raise immunization coverage levels. The approach provides a quality assurance measure for public and private immunization providers, presents an excellent educational opportunity, encourages private and public partnerships, and increases awareness among immunization providers.


The immunization program provides these provider-based immunization assessments to measure immunization coverage levels of two-year-olds and adolescents, and then provide helpful feedback. A written report is prepared and shared with the office that outlines coverage levels and suggested interventions to improve and sustain the levels. Many local offices have participated in these assessments. Call the Immunization Program at 607-753-5028 if your office is interested.