COVID-19 disrupted health routines in 2020 and 2021, causing many Blue KC members to postpone health appointments, preventive care visits and even routine vaccinations.
At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC), we realize the reasons for most of the pandemic-related delays were valid. But it’s time to get back on track.
Vaccinations are a proven and extremely effective way to prevent deadly infectious diseases such as polio, tetanus, measles, mumps and COVID-19. It’s important to remember that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) oversees extensive lab testing and clinical studies regarding the safety and effectiveness of vaccines before they are approved for the general public. Even after vaccines are approved, the FDA, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal health agencies continue to closely monitor their use and investigate any potential safety concerns.
Now that school, work and entertainment are approaching normalcy, it’s critically important to stay up to date on immunizations to help protect yourself and your loved ones and prevent the spread of infectious disease to others.
Fortunately, Blue KC health plans cover in-network routine preventive care services and the related office visit at 100 percent, which means members don’t have to pay anything for these services. To make sure the provider you’re seeing is in-network and services are covered, visit MyBlueKC.com or call the customer service number on your member ID card.
Below is a brief overview of immunizations for children and adults.
Children Aged 10 Years and Younger
Children ages birth through 10 years should be vaccinated to ensure they are fully protected against the following infectious diseases, many of which can be life-threatening. In fact, Kansas and Missouri require children to be immunized to attend school. Check with your child’s pediatrician to ensure your child is receiving the recommended immunizations for your state.
- Hepatitis B (HepB)
- Rotavirus (RV)
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)
- Haemophilus Influenza (Hib) 2
- Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV13)
- Polio (IPV)
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- Chicken Pox (Var)
- Hepatitis A (HepA) 3
- Seasonal Influenza
Children and Adults Aged 11 and Older
Additional immunizations for children and adults begin at age 11. Be sure to check with your child’s pediatrician and your primary care physician to make sure that you and your family members receive these immunizations when you need them.
11 years old and up
- Diphtheria, Tetanus (Td/Tdap)
- Meningococcal (MenACWY)
- HPV Females 4 and Males
- Seasonal Influenza
50 years old and up
- Pneumococcal (PCV13 and PPSV23)
- Shingles
COVID-19 Vaccinations
Additionally, all Missouri and Kansas residents 5 years of age and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, as recommended by the CDC. These vaccinations are proven to be safe and effective and can be found at a provider near you.
Remember, it’s essential that we stay up to date with all immunizations for the health of ourselves—and everyone we encounter.
To access the latest immunization schedules and learn more about how you can do your part to keep your family and the Kansas City community healthy, visit cdc.gov/vaccines.