U.S. Senators Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, and Cory Booker today announced the awarding of $8,916,505 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to theNew Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) to fund the immunization and vaccination of children.

“Vaccines work. They keep our kids healthy and protected from diseases that once killed and infected thousands,” said Sen. Menendez. “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 science behind vaccines is clear—they keep people safe and healthy,” said Sen. Booker. “This federal investment will expand access to immunizations and vaccines for New Jersey’s young people and reduce the incidence of terrible and preventable diseases in our communities.”

The CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) is 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.