Baby Shots: Don't Compromise... Immunize!
PLEASE NOTE: Immunization records must be brought with you to the Baby Shots event.
The PFD Baby Shots Immunization Program provides free vaccinations to children who are eligible under the Vaccine for Children’s Program (VFC).
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay. The program was officially implemented in October 1994 as part of the President’s Childhood Immunization Initiative. Funding for the VFC Program allows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to buy vaccines at a discount from the manufacturers and distribute them to state health departments and certain local and territorial public health agencies which, in turn, distribute them at no charge to private physician offices and public health clinics registered as VFC providers.
Eligibility Criteria Include:
Children from birth through 18 years of age who meet at least one of the following criteria on the day the vaccine is administered are eligible to receive VFC vaccine:
KidsCare
Medicaid eligible: In Arizona, children whose health insurance is covered by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS )
Uninsured: A child who has no health insurance coverage
American Indian or Alaska Native: As defined by the Indian Health Services Act
NOTICE: Please telephone 602-534-BABY (2229) to confirm clinic times and location. Be advised that Baby Shots employees may close the line during the advertised time of operation in order to vaccinate customers presently in line during the allotted clinic time.
History of The Baby Shots Immunization Program
The Phoenix Fire Department members discovered that the percentage of children appropriately immunized in Arizona was extremely low. Having always been proactive in meeting the needs of the community, a free childhood immunization program was developed and implemented. Vaccines are provided through "Vaccine for Children" which is a federally funded program for the uninsured.
The Baby Shots Immunization Program has grown tremendously over the last five years, from one "special immunization event" to seven regular clinic sites. Growth of the program is attributed to clinic environments that are user-friendly. Through partnering in the community, clinics are held in community centers, schools, hospitals and shopping malls all with easy access. The majority of the firefighters and nurses working at the clinics are bilingual and all printed materials are in Spanish and English. Clinic hours are on weekends and late weekday afternoons to accommodate working parents.
The Phoenix Fire Department is committed to achieving improved vaccine coverage against vaccine preventable diseases. The Baby Shots program offers all immunizations that are required for day care and school entry.
Baby Shots protect against 13 serious childhood diseases:
- Measles causes a high fever, rash, sore eyes and cold-like symptoms. It can lead to hearing loss, breathing problems, pneumonia, brain damage and death.
- Mumps causes headache, fever and painful swelling of the cheeks and jaw. In some cases, it can lead to hearing loss, swelling of the brain and spinal cord, and brain damage.
- Rubella (German Measles) is highly contagious and causes a fever and rash on the face and neck. A pregnant woman who gets Rubella can lose her baby, or have a baby with severe birth defects.
- Diphtheria causes a severe throat infection that makes it very hard to swallow and breath.
- Tetanus (Lockjaw) causes severe muscle spasms, breathing and heart problems, and may lead to death.
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough) causes longs spells of coughing that makes it hard for a child to eat, drink and breath. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures and death.
- Polio can cause lifelong paralysis and deformity.
- Haemophilus Influenza Type B causes joint, eye, ear and lung infections, and meningitis which may lead to brain damage or death.
- Pneumococcus is the leading cause of serious illness among young children worldwide. It is the most frequent cause of meningitis, blood infections, pneumonia, sinusitis and ear infections.
- Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease that can cause "flu-like" symptoms, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), severe stomach pain, diarrhea, and in rare cases, death.
- Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that can lead to liver damage, liver cancer and in some cases, death.
- Varicella (Chicken Pox) is a highly contagious disease that causes fever, tiredness and weakness, followed by an itchy blister-like rash.
- Rotavirus is a highly contagious disease that causes diarrhea, vomiting and fever. May lead to severe dehydration and death.
