As the start of the school year rapidly approaches, Dr. Manuel Franco and the SOMOS Community Care Network want to make sure more kids 12 and under are vaccinated. 

“When we prevent and teach them how to live healthy,” said Franco, “that’s going to grant a healthy life when they’re in adulthood.” 

At Dr. Franco’s office in the South Bronx, he and other physicians are urging parents to get their children vaccinated. 

Reluctance to vaccinate children is evident when taking a closer look at the numbers – state data says only around 2% of kids 4 years old or younger are vaccinated, with kids ages 5-11 coming in at less than 50% vaccinated. 

Even looking at older demographics reveals that people ages 12-34 are below 80% vaccination rate in the Bronx, and just under 81% vaccination rate in Brooklyn.  

The SOMOS network is offering appointments for youth vaccines. Click here to find your nearest SOMOS vaccine site