Staying up to date on your child’s vaccines and immunizations, as well as practicing healthy hygiene, is one of the best ways to protect them from potentially harmful germs.
“Vaccinating your children protects not only your family, but it also protects others who cannot be vaccinated,” said Susan Senzaki, doctor of nursing practice (DNP) with Dizon Pediatrics Copper. “So, by staying up to date on vaccinations, not only are you protecting yourself, but you’re protecting other people."
How do vaccinations work?
When you get a vaccine, a small amount of weak or dead germs imitating a disease are introduced to your immune system, helping it make antibodies. If the body gets exposed to the disease in the future, your immune system can recognize it right away and quickly fight it off, preventing you from getting sick.While your body builds immunity, a vaccine might cause tiredness or discomfort for a short time, but the resulting protection can last a lifetime. And while vaccination doesn’t grant 100% immunity, it does help the body learn how to defend itself from disease without the dangers of a full-blown infection.
Where to go to get your child vaccinated
“Vaccinations are offered at your pediatrician’s office, some clinics, pediatric urgent cares and also local pharmacies such as CVS, Target, Rite Aid, Walgreens — most all have vaccinations, you just have to ask,” said Senzaki.She recommends making an appointment with your child’s pediatrician or primary care provider each year before school starts to make sure your child is up to date on immunizations, and so you can make informed decisions about your child’s health.
Recommended vaccinations for kids
Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that vaccinations will have prevented approximately 508 million lifetime cases of illness, 32 million hospitalizations and more than 1.1 million deaths in about 117 million children born between 1994 and 2023.The CDC recommends the following schedule for the listed vaccines. See the complete list of vaccinations.
| Hepatitis A Recommended at 12 months and again between 18-23 months |
Hepatitis B Recommended at birth, again between 1-2 months, and again between 6-18 months |
| Varicella (chickenpox) Recommended between 12-15 months and again between 4-6 years old |
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) Recommended between 12-15 months and again between 4-6 years old |
| DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) Recommended at 2 months, at 4 months, at 6 months, again between 15-18 months, and again between 4-6 years old |
Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) Recommended between 11-12 years old |
| IPV (polio) Recommended at 2 months, at 4 months, again between 6-18 months, and again between 4-6 years old |
Flu Recommended yearly starting at 6 months old |
| HPV or Gardasil-9 Recommended between 11-12 years old |
Meningococcal or Menactra Recommended between 16-18 years old |
| COVID-19 Recommended at least 1 dose of the current vaccine starting at 6 months of age |
If you’re unsure what vaccinations your child has had or how often they need the listed vaccines, contact your pediatrician’s office or check your child’s MyChart account.
For more information on the importance of immunizations and how they work, visit the Centers for Disease Control.
