Immunizations

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Reduce the Risk of Infectious Diseases

Immunizations are an essential part of your regular care. They protect you from serious diseases and keep you healthy.

You need immunizations throughout your life. They can offer protection from diseases such as:

  • COVID-19
  • Flu
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Pneumococcal infections
  • Tetanus

During a wellness visit, your provider will make sure you have the recommended vaccinations based on your age and lifestyle.

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Sanford Health offers the annual flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine at events and locations near you.

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Flu Vaccine

The flu is a virus that can cause fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, runny nose and fatigue.

You can help keep yourself and your family healthy by covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands and getting vaccinated.

Get your flu shot:


Learn more about flu vaccines.

COVID-19 Vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 5 and older. Kids ages 5 to 11 receive the same vaccine as adults but in a smaller dose. Pfizer is the only manufacturer whose vaccine is approved for this age group.

Research has shown that the vaccine can effectively protect you from contracting, getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19 and its variants. The available vaccines have undergone rigorous testing to ensure their safety.

Get your COVID-19 vaccine:

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Reasons to Vaccinate

Immunizations – also called vaccines, shots or vaccinations – can protect people of all ages from dangerous, life-threatening diseases.

If you’re a parent and feel hesitant about vaccine safety, talk to your child’s doctor. Physicians are your first source of reliable information. They’re 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.

Learn more: What every parent should know about vaccines.


How Vaccines Work

Vaccines work by injecting weakened or killed bacteria or viruses into the body. They teach your body’s immune system how to fight the disease and produce antibodies without getting sick.

Different vaccines are recommended for infants, children, teenagers and adults. View our vaccination schedule below.

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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.

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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.

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Protect Your Baby

Infants are too young to be vaccinated themselves. When a pregnant mother gets vaccinated, she often passes on antibodies to her child. Maternal vaccination gives babies early, life-saving protection.

Recommended immunizations during pregnancy:

  • Seasonal influenza (flu). Flu vaccines are recommended during any trimester of pregnancy to prevent influenza-related complications, which can lead to premature labor and preterm birth.
  • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis). Experts recommend a Tdap vaccination between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. During pertussis outbreaks, infants are at the highest risk of illness, complications and death.
  • COVID-19. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. A COVID-19 vaccine can protect you and your baby. The CDC recommends vaccination to people who are pregnant, breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant.

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