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Immunization Action Plan (IAP)

Vaccines are the safest way to protect you, your children, and your community from a long list of serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Vaccines protect you by preparing your immune system to recognize and fight serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases.  

 What is the Immunization Action Plan (IAP)?

The IAP program works closely with healthcare providers, day care providers, schools, vulnerable populations, and others to help raise vaccination rates in Erie County. They accomplish this through activities such as: 

  • Education and outreach to healthcare professionals, day care providers, and other interested groups about the benefits of vaccine preventable diseases for children, adolescents, and adults.
  • Assessments and follow-up visits with private healthcare providers and clinics to review vaccination levels of children, adolescents, and adults and provide guidance to raise vaccine coverage levels.
  • Assist healthcare providers in improving the accuracy and completeness of immunization data in the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS), New York State's electronic immunization registry.
  • Provides information that is given to new parents at Erie County birthing hospitals.

Providers: download educational materials for your patients 

Image text:
Erie County Department of Health Immunization Action Plan (IAP)
Don’t wait! Contact your child’s pediatrician or primary care provider for required immunizations. Children & adults who do not have a doctor may be eligible for immunizations at our clinic. 
Jesse Nash Health Center  
608 William Street 
Buffalo, NY 14206 
Across from William-Emslie Family YMCA 
Located on NFTA Bus Route #1 William 
Walkable from #2 Clinton, #4 Broadway, #18 Jefferson, #23 Fillmore-Hertel
Phone: (716) 858-7687 
Appointments only

What immunizations do people need? 

Childhood vaccinations are essential because they help protect children before they are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Adults need to keep their vaccinations up to date because immunity from childhood vaccines can wear off over time. You are also at risk for different diseases as an adult.  

Did you know there are vaccines to prevent cancer?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can prevent several kinds of cancer, and the hepatitis B vaccine can help prevent liver cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

Some cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common sexually transmitted infection. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause these cancers.

HPV vaccination works graphicWho should get the HPV vaccine?

HPV vaccination is recommended for:

  • Preteens aged 11 to 12 years, but can be given starting at age 9.
  • Everyone through age 26 years, if they are not vaccinated already.
  • If you are over 26 years old, talk to your doctor about your risk of new HPV infections and benefits of the vaccine. 

HPV vaccination prevents new HPV infections, but does not treat existing infections or diseases. This is why the HPV vaccine works best when given before you are exposed to the virus. 

The HPV vaccine does not substitute for routine cervical cancer screening tests (Pap and HPV tests).

HPV Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Hepatitis B vaccine

Pronounced (hep-ah-TY-tiss)

Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is spread through blood, semen, or other body fluids.  It can be mild and last only a few weeks (acute), but it can also cause serious long-term (chronic) illness that can lead to liver disease or liver cancer. 

Who should get the hepatitis B vaccine?

Hepatitis B vaccine is usually given as 2, 3, or 4 shots, and it may be given as a stand-alone vaccine, or as part of a combination vaccine.  It is is recommended for:

  • Infants should get their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth and will usually complete the series at 6-18 months of age. The birth dose is an important part of preventing long-term illness in infants and the spread of hepatitis B.
  • Anyone 59 years of age or younger who has not gotten the vaccine.
  • Adults 60 years at increased risk of exposure to hepatitis B who were not already vaccinated.  

Hepatitis Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Where can I, or my child, get immunized? 

Your primary care provider or pediatrician

Immunization clinics in WNY

  • There are immunization clinics in WNY that provide immunizations, and some vaccine makers may have programs that provide vaccines for free to people who do not have health insurance. 

Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) Immunization Clinic

Location

Jesse Nash Health Center
608 William St
Buffalo, NY 14206 
(716) 858-7687
Located on NFTA Bus Route #1 William 
Walkable from #2 Clinton, #4 Broadway, #18 Jefferson, #23 Fillmore-Hertel

Appointments

Appointments are required; no walk-ins will be seen.  Call (716) 858-7687 for an appointment and more information. 

Payment

  • This clinic participates in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program.  
  • There is no fee for the vaccines provided by the VFC and VFA programs, but there is an administration fee.  Cash, check & credit card are accepted.  
  • For those not eligible for the VFC and VFA programs, there is a charge for each vaccine (cost differs by vaccine) plus an administrative fee.  Cash, check & credit card are accepted.
  • We accept most insurances.  If we are unable to bill your insurance provider, an itemized receipt will be given to you to submit to your insurance.  Payment in full (including insurance co-payment) is to be paid at the time of your clinic appointment.

How can I get a copy of my immunization records?

Healthcare providers now use electronic immunization registries to keep track of children's immunizations.  Finding old immunization records for adults can be difficult or even impossible.  To avoid having to hunt for old records, and possibly repeating vaccinations that cannot be documented, individuals should make sure that all immunization providers give them a written record of their vaccines.  Parents should also keep track of their child's vaccination history.  Consider using this free life-time immunization record card.

If you can not locate your records, check with the following places

Electronic immunization registries

Healthcare providers now use electronic immunization registries to keep track of children's immunizations.

As of January 1, 2008, the New York State Immunization Registry Law requires healthcare providers to report all immunizations administered to persons less than 19 years of age, along with the person's immunization histories, to the New York State Department of Health using the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS). This system can also be used for adult immunizations. All COVID-19 vaccinations given in NY State, regardless of the recipient's age, are recorded in NYSIIS. 

Additional resources

Program contact

Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) 
Immunization Action Plan Program
608 William Street 
Buffalo, NY 14206 
Phone: (716) 858-7687
Fax: (716) 858-2127

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