U.S. Senators Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today announced the awarding of $8,025,816 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) to fund the immunization and vaccination of children.

“As we kick off the new school year, I urge all parents to get their eligible children vaccinated for COVID-19 so we can keep all kids, teachers, and staff healthy and safe, avoid outbreaks and keep schools open,” said Sen. Menendez. “Vaccines work. They keep our kids healthy and protected from diseases that once killed and infected thousands. For decades vaccines have helped save lives, and this federal funding will allow the state to provide new vaccines to thousands of New Jersey children.”

“The best way to put this pandemic behind us is to make sure that all those who are eligible are vaccinated,” said Sen. Booker. “With this critical federal funding, our state will be better equipped with the resources it needs to bolster vaccination programs for children. I encourage all New Jerseyans to join me in getting vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus – these vaccines are safe, effective, and they will help us save countless lives.”

The CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) provides federal funding grants to states and local governments to purchase and distribute vaccines, and for technical and financial support of immunization programs, vaccine preventable disease surveillance, provider and public education, and evaluation.