Pediatric Vaccines & Insurance Coverage

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) release a yearly schedule of recommended vaccinations for children under 18. Most schools and daycare centers require that children in attendance be current on the recommended vaccination schedule.

Costs

• Childhood vaccinations are usually administered in a doctor's office. According to the CDC, the shots cost from $20 to $130 per dose on average, as of August 2010. Health insurance can cover some of these costs, often covering them 100 percent.

Affordable Care Act

• In 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. In the bill, no child can be denied health insurance based on preexisting health conditions. Additionally, beginning Sept. 23, 2010, all new health insurance plans must cover preventive care without requiring a deductible, copay or coinsurance. This includes routine childhood vaccinations.

Vaccinating the Uninsured

• For people without health insurance, there are some alternatives to paying full price for vaccinations. The Vaccines for Children Program allows local health departments to provide vaccines at little or no cost to patients who are unable to pay. Many pediatricians also participate in this program.