Many children have fallen behind on routine well-child visits and receiving recommended vaccines due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cover vaccinations, child screenings, and other essential routine healthcare services for kids and teens up to age 19 to stay protected when they go back to in-person learning. In this webinar, Shannon Stokley, DrPH, MPH, Associate Director for Science, Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), discussed current data on childhood vaccinations and national outreach programs that can help children and teens catch up on missed care. Two of CMS’ HEALTHY KIDS (Helping Ensure Access for Little Ones, Toddlers and Hopeful Youth by Keeping Insurance Delivery Stable Act) grantees also presented strategies and tips to promote routine health outcomes among children. Campaign resources organizations can use in outreach and enrollment efforts to promote routine health and vaccinations year-round, including social media posts and graphics, newsletter articles and text messages, were featured. All resources discussed in this webinar can be found on InsureKidsNow.gov.
IMPORTANT: Look for your child’s Medicaid or CHIP renewal in the mail, complete it and mail it back immediately. They may be covered even if you’re not! Every child currently covered by Medicaid or CHIP will need to go through a renewal process within the next several months. Keep your child covered and healthy. Complete the renewal as soon as you get it in the mail! Go to Medicaid.gov/renewals to find contact information for your state Medicaid office.