Immunizations

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Reduce the Risk of Infectious Diseases

Immunity is important for two reasons: to protect yourself and to protect those around you.


Reasons to Vaccinate

Immunizations, also called vaccines, shots or vaccinations, are among the most effective options for protecting people of all ages from dangerous, even life-threatening, diseases. Vaccines greatly reduce your risk of being infected by certain diseases through building your body’s natural defenses.

How can parents get the facts about vaccine safety? Your child's doctor is your first source of reliable information. Doctors are bound by law to give you written information on the benefits and risks of each immunization suggested for your child. Reading this material can help you make a well-informed decision. 


How Vaccines Work

Through a vaccine, injecting a weakened or killed bacteria or virus into the body, the body’s immune system learns how to fight the disease and produces antibodies without your body getting sick. Immunity occurs when your body has built up a strong enough defense that it is able to resist infection from a specific disease.

Different vaccines are recommended for infants, children, teenagers and adults. Check whether you’re on schedule in our chart below, titled “Vaccine Schedule by Age.”

Vaccine Schedule By Age

Infants & Children (Birth to 6 Years)

Today, most parents have never seen the devastating consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases firsthand. Though not common in the U.S., these diseases persist around the world. Vaccine-preventable diseases can cause serious illness, may require hospitalization and can be deadly — especially in infants and young children. Continuing to protect children through vaccination is an important step to prevent outbreaks. 


Adolescents (7-18 Years)

Thanks to vaccines, most U.S. children are protected against serious diseases such as measles, mumps, diphtheria, polio and chickenpox. But what happens to that protection when a child becomes a tween or a teen? A teen who missed a vaccine or booster as a child may need to be immunized. Learn more about which vaccines teens need.


Adults (18+)

As we age, immunity from childhood vaccinations begins to wear off, resulting in adults being at risk for serious, potentially life-threatening diseases. In fact, every year approximately 50,000 adults in the United States die from vaccine-preventable diseases. Staying up-to-date on immunizations is the most effective protection to keep safe from these dangerous illnesses.


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What Every Parent Should Know About Vaccines

How can parents get the facts about vaccine safety? Your child's health care provider is your first source of reliable information. Health care providers are bound by law to give you written information on the benefits and risks of each immunization suggested for your child. Reading this material can help you make a well-informed decision. Find answers to common questions parents have about immunizations.

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Vaccine Schedule: Birth to 10 Years

Today, most parents have never seen the devastating consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases first-hand. Though not common in the U.S., these diseases persist around the world. Vaccine-preventable diseases can cause serious illness, may require hospitalization and can be deadly - especially in infants and young children. Continuing to protect children through vaccination is an important step to prevent outbreaks. See the currently recommended immunizations for children.

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Quiz: Vaccines for Ages 11-26

Thanks to vaccines, most U.S. children are protected against serious diseases such as measles, mumps, diphtheria, polio and chickenpox. But what happens to that protection when a child becomes a teen? A teen who missed a vaccine or booster as a child may need to be immunized. Learn more about which vaccines teens need by taking this quiz.

Take the Quiz

Quiz: Vaccine Schedule for Ages 26+

As we age, immunity from childhood vaccinations begins to wear off, resulting in adults being at risk for serious, potentially life-threatening diseases. In fact, every year approximately 50,000 adults in the United States die from vaccine-preventable diseases. Staying up-to-date on immunizations is the most effective protection to keep safe from these dangerous illnesses.

Take the Quiz

Vaccine Schedule: Pregnant Women

Infants are too young to be directly immunized, so maternal vaccination allows a mother to give her baby early, life-saving protection. Recommended immunizations during pregnancy:

  • Seasonal influenza (flu): Influenza vaccination is recommended during any trimester of pregnancy to prevent influenza-related complications which can lead to premature labor and preterm birth.
  • DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis): DTaP vaccination is recommended between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Pertussis outbreaks continue to occur in the U.S. with infants at the highest risk of severe illness, including hospitalization and death.

Protect Your Family. Get the Flu Vaccine.

Getting vaccinated keeps you healthy and protects those around you. Besides getting vaccinated, you can keep your family healthy by:

  • Covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
  • Cleaning your hands often

The flu is a virus that can include symptoms such as:

  • Fever/chills
    • " Cough " Muscle aches " Runny rose " Fatigue

A severe case of the flu can cause serious symptoms like:

  • Shortness of breath
    • " Trouble breathing " Severe vomiting " Feeling dizzy or confused

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