Washington State Department of Health

4000000

lives are saved each year by vaccines

Vaccines Improve Quality of Life

Vaccines have saved more human lives than any other invention in history. Today, it’s estimated that childhood vaccines prevent 4 million deaths worldwide every year.

Despite what many think, vaccines aren’t new. While formulations continue to improve, most vaccines we use today have been around for decades, proving to be safe and effective for generations of people.

It’s important to know that vaccination is most effective with collective effort. Community immunity also known as herd immunity (when the whole community is protected from a disease) can only occur when a large amount of the population gets vaccinated. It was community immunity that ultimately led to the eradication of smallpox 1980, sparing all of us today from this devastating illness.

Childhood Immunization Schedule

The Childhood Vaccination Schedule is meant to protect children against serious illness as early as it is safe and effective to do so. There is no evidence that delaying vaccines is safer.

The recommended schedule is developed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP is a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) committee and collaborates with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians and the United States' Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The ACIP meets three times a year at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia to thoroughly review materials including, but not limited to, vaccine research, vaccine effectiveness and safety data, clinical trial results, and manufacturer’s labeling or package insert information. ACIP members also participate in work groups, which actively stay up to date on specific vaccines and vaccine safety.

ACIP meetings are open to the public and available online via webcast. For more information about how the ACIP operates and makes vaccine recommendations, see the CDC website. Individual states determine which recommended vaccines are required for enrollment into child care, preschool, grades K-12, as well as college and military. (Source: Plain Talk About Immunizations manual). To read more about the vaccines required in Washington state, visit the School and Child Care Immunization Information for Families web page.

Recommended age range for most children

Ask clinician if vaccination is needed

Vaccine	Birth	1 Month	2 Months	4 Months	6 Months	7 Months	8-9 Months	12 Months	15 Months	18 Months	19-24 Months
RSV	1st Dose						1st Dose
Hepatitis B	1st Dose	2nd Dose			3rd Dose
Rotavirus			1st Dose	2nd Dose	3rd Dose
DTap			1st Dose	2nd Dose	3rd Dose				4th Dose
Hib			1st Dose	2nd Dose	3rd Dose			3rd/4th Dose
Pneumococcal			1st Dose	2nd Dose	3rd Dose			4th Dose
Polio			1st Dose	2nd Dose	3rd Dose
COVID-19					1 or More Dose
Influenza/Flu					1 or 2 Doses Annually
MMR					1 Dose			1 Dose
Chickenpox								1st Dose
Hepatitis A					1 Dose			2 Dose series
Meningococcal			1st Dose

Vaccine	2-3 Years	4-6 Years	7-10 Years	11-12 Years	13-15 Years	16-17 Years	18 Years
D Tap		5th Dose
Polio		4th Dose
COVID-19
Influenza/Flu
MMR		2nd Dose
Chicken Pox		2nd Dose
Tdap				1st Dose
HPV			2 Dose Series	2 Dose Series	3 Dose Series
Meningococcal				1st Dose		2nd Dose
Meningococcal B				2 Dose Series
Dengue				3 Dose Series
RSV				1st Dose
Mpox							2 Dose Series

Sources:

CDC Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age Birth-18 Years Immunization Schedule - Healthcare Providers | CDC.
AAP Immunization Schedule by Age Immunization Schedules | Red Book Online | American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org).

Vaccine Information

Vaccine	Other Names	Dosage / Timing	Disease Characteristics	Benefits of Vaccination	Vaccine Risks	Public Health Impact
Chickenpox	Varicella	Two doses First dose: 12 to 15 months old Second dose: 4 to 6 years old	Chickenpox is an incredibly contagious virus that spreads through direct and airborne contact. Chickenpox can cause infected blisters, bleeding disorders, brain swelling (encephalitis), lung infection (pneumonia), and death.	Vaccination is over 99% effective at preventing chickenpox.	Most people experience minor or no side effects. The most common side effects of the chickenpox vaccine are: Sore arm, redness, or rash at injection site Fever Allergic reaction (rarely)	Before the vaccine, chickenpox made over 4 million people sick every year. This vaccine has reduced disease cases by over 97%. In 2017, there were only 8,297 cases of chickenpox.
HPV	Human Papillomavirus	Two or three doses depending on age when first dose is given. Before 15th birthday, two doses recommended: First dose: 9 to 12 years old Second dose: 6 to 12 months after first dose After 15th birthday, three doses recommended: First dose: when possible Second Dose: 1 to 2 months after first dose Third dose: 6 months after first dose	HPV is an incredibly common virus that spreads easily through intimate skin-to-skin contact. People of all genders can get HPV and spread it to others. Most people with HPV don’t show any symptoms and don’t realize they have it. For some people, the virus can cause painless growths or lumps around the genitals (genital warts). Some types of HPV can cause cancer, most commonly cervical cancer in women and mouth/throat cancer in men. In the U.S., at least 35,900 people get cancer caused by HPV each year.	Vaccination prevents over 90% of cancers caused by HPV.	Most people experience minor or no side effects. The most common side effects of the HPV vaccine are: Soreness, redness or swelling at injection site Fever or headache	Since HPV vaccination was first recommended in 2006, infections with high-risk HPV types have dropped 88% among teen girls and 81% among young adult women.
MMR	Measles, Mumps, Rubella	Two doses First dose: 12 to 15 months old Second dose: 4 to 6 years old	Measles often begins with a fever, cold-like symptoms, and rash (after 3-5 days.) About 1 in 5 people with measles become hospitalized. In severe cases, it can cause brain swelling (encephalitis), lung infection (pneumonia), complications in the brain 7-10 years after infection, and death. Mumps usually involves pain and swelling in the salivary glands. Other symptoms include trouble talking, chewing, earache, and fever. In rare cases, mumps can cause inflammation of tissue surrounding the spinal cord (meningitis), brain swelling (encephalitis), swelling of testicles or ovaries, deafness, and death. Rubella is a contagious viral disease. Common symptoms include low-grade fever, sore throat, and rash. It can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, sometimes causing miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and birth defects.	Two doses of the vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles and rubella, and 88% effective against mumps. Vaccinated people who get mumps have much milder symptoms.	Most people experience minor or no side effects. The most common side effects of the MMR vaccine are: Sore arm or redness at injection site Fever Mild rash Temporary pain and joint stiffness	Before vaccination was available, 3 to 4 million people got measles every year in the U.S. This led to 48,000 hospitalizations, 1,000 cases of brain swelling (encephalitis), and 400 to 500 deaths a year. Since the introduction of vaccine in 1963, measles cases have reduced by 99%. Since the mumps vaccination program began in 1967, mumps cases have decreased in the U.S. by 99%. Before the rubella vaccination program began in 1969, rubella was a common and widespread infection in the U.S. Today, fewer than 10 U.S. cases are reported each year.
Hepatitis A	Hep A	Two doses First dose: 12 to 23 months old Second dose: 6 months after first dose	Hep A is a highly contagious liver infection that’s spread through contaminated feces. It can cause mild to severe illness. Symptoms rarely show in children. However, some may develop: Yellowing of their skin or mucous membranes (Jaundice) Loss of appetite Upset stomach Throwing up Stomach pain Fever Dark urine Light-colored stools Diarrhea Joint pain Fatigue	Vaccination is nearly 100% effective at preventing the disease.	No serious side effects have been reported from the Hepatitis A vaccine. The most common side effect is soreness at the injection site.	Since the vaccine was first recommended in 1996, cases of Hepatitis A in the United States declined dramatically.
Hepatitis B	Hep B	Three doses First dose: at birth Second dose: 1 to 2 months old Third dose: 6 to 18 months old	Hep B is a liver infection that spreads through bodily fluids like blood, semen, and others. Some people are only sick for a few weeks, while others can develop chronic or lifelong infection. Children are often asymptomatic. However, they may develop: Fever Fatigue Loss of appetite Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Dark urine Clay-colored stool Joint pain Yellowing of their skin or mucous membranes (jaundice)	Vaccination is nearly 100% effective at preventing the disease.	No serious side effects have been reported from the Hepatitis B vaccine. The most common side effect is soreness at the injection site.	Since the vaccine was first recommended in 1996, cases of Hepatitis B in the United States declined dramatically.
Rotavirus	Rotavirus	Two doses or three doses, depending on the brand* First dose: 2 months old Second dose: 4 months old Third dose: 6 months old (only for RotaTeq) *Rotarix=two doses RotaTeq=three doses	Rotavirus is a contagious disease spread through oral contact with infected objects, food, or hands. It's especially dangerous for infants and young children. Children infected by rotavirus can develop: Watery diarrhea Vomiting This may cause dehydration resulting in: Decreased urination Dry mouth and throat Dizziness Crying with few or no tears Unusual sleepiness or fussiness Death	7 out of 10 babies who complete a rotavirus vaccine series are protected from all rotavirus infections. 9 out of 10 are protected from severe rotavirus.	Most people experience minor or no side effects. The most common side effects of the rotavirus vaccine are: Irritability Mild/temporary diarrhea or vomiting	The vaccine has reduced rotavirus hospitalizations and death in babies and young children. Before the vaccine, rotavirus was the leading cause of severe diarrhea in this age group.
DTaP/Tdap	Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping Cough)	Five doses (three doses plus two boosters) NOTE: The childhood vaccine is referred to as DTaP. The adolescent/adult vaccine is referred to as Tdap. DTaP First dose: 2 months old Second dose: 4 months old Third dose: 6 months old Fourth dose: 15 to 18 months old Fifth dose: 4 to 6 years old Tdap Preteens 11 to 12 years old should get an additional Tdap vaccine to boost immunity. Pregnant people should also get a Tdap vaccine in the beginning of the 3rd trimester to protect babies from whooping cough in the first few months of life.	Diphtheria is a highly contagious respiratory and skin disease. Respiratory diphtheria spreads through direct or airborne contact with bacteria. It can cause weakness, sore throat, mild fever, swollen glands in the neck, and gray coating in the nose and throat. Diphtheria skin infections spread through infected open sores. More serious complications include swelling of the heart muscle, heart failure, coma, paralysis, and death. Tetanus is a bacterial disease that occurs when skin wounds get infected with Clostridium tetani, a bacteria found in soil, dust, and manure. Tetanus can be very serious, causing difficulty swallowing and breathing, muscle spasms, lockjaw, broken bones, and death. Pertussis is an extremely contagious bacterial disease that spreads through direct or airborne contact. Infected babies may turn blue or purple and struggle to breathe, whereas teens may show milder symptoms similar to a common cold. Teens who haven’t been vaccinated may have more severe coughing fits and health implications later in life including lung infections (pneumonia) and death.	Studies show when children get all 5 doses of the DTaP vaccine on schedule, it fully protects about 98% of them in the first year after the last dose. After 5 years, it protects about 71%.	Most people experience minor or no side effects. The most common side effects of the DTaP vaccine are: Soreness or swelling at injection site Fever Fussiness Feeling tired Loss of appetite Vomiting Rarely, seizures, non-stop crying, or high fever over 105°F may occur The most common side effects of the Tdap vaccine are: Pain, redness, or swelling at injection site Mild fever Headache Feeling tired Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomachache	Diphtheria used to be a major cause of illness and death among children. Thanks to the vaccine, it’s now nearly unheard of in the U.S. Before the tetanus vaccine, states reported between 500 and 600 cases each year. Today, tetanus is uncommon in the United States, with an average of 30 reported cases a year. Before the pertussis vaccine, 200,000 children got sick and up to 9,000 died each year in the U.S. After the vaccine was introduced, whooping cough cases reached an all-time low in the 1970s.
Hib	Haemophilus Influenzae Type B	Three or four doses depending on the brand* First dose: 2 months old Second dose: 4 months old Third dose: 6 months old Fourth dose: 12 to 15 months old Babies younger than 6 weeks old should not get the Hib vaccine. *PedvaxHIB=three doses (the third dose at 6 months old is skipped in this case). ActHIB, Hiberix, Pentacel, Vaxelis= four doses	Hib is a contagious bacterial disease that mainly spreads through airborne or direct contact. It can also enter the blood, causing severe infections. The infection can stay in the nose or throat showing no symptoms. However, more serious symptoms can occur, including infection of the fluid around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), intellectual disability, life-threatening infection that can block the windpipe and lead to serious breathing problems (epiglottis), lung infection (pneumonia), and death.	Vaccination is at least 93% effective at preventing the disease. Vaccinated people who do get sick have much milder symptoms.	Most children experience minor or no side effects. The most common side effects of the Hib vaccine are: Fever Redness, warmth, or swelling at the injection site	Before vaccination was available, this disease made 20,000 people sick a year. The vaccine has reduced cases by 99%.
Pneumococcal	Invasive Pneumococcal Disease	Four doses First dose: 2 months old Second dose: 4 months old Third dose: 6 months old Fourth dose: 12 to 15 months old In certain situations, children 2 to 18 years old may need additional doses.	Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that spreads through direct or airborne contact. The bacteria can remain in the nose and throat causing no symptoms. However, if bacteria enters the bloodstream, it can cause stiff neck, fever, headache, eye sensitivity to light, confusion, lung infection (pneumonia), infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), and death.	Vaccination is 75% effective against vaccine-type IPD.	Most children experience minor or no side effects. Some common side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine are: Redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness at the injection site Fever Loss of appetite Irritability Feeling tired Headache Muscle aches or joint pain Chills	Since the introduction of the vaccine, invasive pneumococcal disease has decreased by 95% in children under 5 years old.
Polio	Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), Poliomyelitis	Four doses First dose: 2 months old Second dose: 4 months old Third dose: 6 to 18 months old Fourth dose: 4 to 6 years old	Polio is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. It spreads person to person through contact with contaminated feces. Most infected children don’t show any symptoms. However, some experience flu-like symptoms in the first 2-5 days of infection. In serious cases, it can cause infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), paralysis or weakness of the arms and legs that may be permanent, and death. Children who are not vaccinated against polio, behind on the recommended vaccination schedule, or traveling to countries with higher polio risk should refer to the accelerated vaccine schedule.	Two doses of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) are 90% effective or more against paralytic polio; three doses are 99% to 100% effective.	Most children experience minor or no side effects. The most common side effects of the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) are: A sore spot with redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site Polio was once one of the most feared diseases. Thanks to vaccination, wild poliovirus has been eliminated in the United States.	Polio was once one of the most feared diseases. Thanks to vaccination, wild poliovirus has been eliminated in the United States.
Meningitis	Meningococcal	Two doses (one dose plus booster) NOTE: The MenACWY vaccine protects against meningococcal bacteria A, C, W, and Y. The MenB vaccine protects against meningococcal bacteria B. MenACWY First dose: 11 to 12 years Booster: 16 years old Children between 2 months and 10 years old may need to get the MenACWY vaccine if they are higher risk. MenB Teens, preferably 16 to 18 years old, may get a MenB vaccine. Certain preteens and teens should get the MenB vaccine if they are higher risk.	Meningococcal disease is any illness caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. It’s spread person-to-person through saliva. Illnesses caused by these bacteria are often severe and deadly, causing infections of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (septicemia).	The meningococcal vaccines available in the U.S. have all been shown to produce an immune response, suggesting the vaccines provide protection. However, data is limited on the level of effectiveness.	The most common side effects of the MenACWY vaccine are: Redness or soreness where the vaccine was given Muscle pain Headache Tiredness The most common side effects of the MenB vaccine are: Redness, soreness, or swelling at the injection site Tiredness Headache Muscle or joint pain Fever or chills Nausea or diarrhea	The vaccine has decreased rates of all meningococcal disease types in the United States.
Flu	Influenza	First dose at 6 months old, then every year after first dose. DOH recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone aged six-months and older, including pregnant and nursing people. It’s best to get vaccinated in September or October before flu season starts. However, vaccination should continue throughout the season as long as flu viruses are circulating. Depending on the individual, doctors may recommend additional doses per year.	Influenza is a contagious viral infection of the nose, throat, and sometimes lungs that spreads through airborne or direct contact with the virus. It can be especially dangerous for older people, young kids, pregnant people, and people with certain health conditions. Common symptoms include: Fever or feeling feverish/chills (not everyone with the flu will have a fever) Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Muscle or body aches Headaches Fatigue Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children) Serious complications include infection of the lungs (pneumonia), sinus and ear infections, worsening of underlying heart or lung conditions, and death.	The flu vaccine can prevent getting sick with the flu entirely or reduce the severity of illness. While vaccine effectiveness varies year to year, recent studies show vaccination reduces the risk of flu by 40% to 60% among the overall population during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the flu vaccine. Because the influenza virus and vaccine are constantly changing, it’s important to get vaccinated every year.	Most people experience minor or no side effects. The most common side effects of the flu vaccine include: Soreness, swelling, and redness at the injection site Fever	A recent study estimated that flu vaccination reduced the risk of flu-related ER and urgent care visits by almost half and hospitalizations by more than a third among U.S. adults during the 2022-2023 season.
COVID-19	Coronavirus	One or two doses The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get an updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. Children aged 6 months to four years may need multiple doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date and should include at least 1 dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine.	COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms similar to a cold, flu, or pneumonia. Appearing 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, symptoms may include: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but those with certain conditions can experience severe illness, chronic illness, or death.	CDC data shows that people who received the updated COVID-19 vaccine were 54% less likely to get COVID-19 during the four-month period from mid-September to January.	Some people experience no side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine; however, many people do. Side effects are normal signs your body is building protection against COVID-19. Common symptoms include: Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site Fatigue Headache Muscle pain Chills Fever Nausea In extremely rare cases with specific groups of the population, more serious side effects such as anaphylaxis or inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) can occur. To date, evidence indicates that the benefits of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risk of myocarditis.	From December 2020 through November 2022, it’s estimated that the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program prevented more than 18.5 million additional hospitalizations and 3.2 million additional deaths. While the virus has not been completely eradicated, the COVID-19 vaccine dramatically improved the national health emergency, officially ending it in the U.S. on May 11, 2023.
RSV	Respiratory Syncytial Virus	One dose NOTE: there are two RSV antibody products that can help prevent severe RSV disease in infants and young children: nirsevimab (Beyfortus) and palivizumab (Synagis). nirsevimab is recommended for: Children younger than 8 months born during RSV season or entering their first RSV season Some children aged 8 through 19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season palivizumab use is limited to: Some children younger than age 24 months of age with increased risk for severe RSV disease may need a dose once a month during RSV season	RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization. Appearing 4 to 6 days after getting exposed to the virus, symptoms may include: Runny nose Less appetite Coughing Sneezing Fever Wheezing Some adults can get an RSV infection and not have any symptoms. Very young babies may only have the following symptoms: Irritability Decreased activity Eating or drinking less Difficulty breathing	Early data shows nirsevimab is 90% effective at keeping infants from being hospitalized with RSV.	The most common side effects of the RSV vaccine include: Pain Redness and swelling at injection site Fatigue Fever Headache Nausea Diarrhea Muscle or joint pain Serious neurologic conditions, including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), have been reported after RSV vaccination in clinical trials of older adults. It is unclear whether the vaccine caused these events. Preterm birth and high blood pressure during pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, have been reported among pregnant people who received RSV vaccine during clinical trials. It is unclear whether these events were caused by the vaccine.	While data is still being collected, early trials have shown promising results in reducing RSV infections, which currently cause 50,000 to 80,000 hospitalizations and 100 to 300 deaths in children under 5 years old each year.

Get downloadable information about each vaccine here.

For more information about flu vaccines, go here.

Chart Sources:

Ten Things Every Parent Should Know About Vaccines

01
Delaying getting your child vaccinated until kindergarten or even until after their first birthday can put them at unnecessary risk when they are most vulnerable.
Getting vaccinated is like using a car seat or seat belt. It’s possible that your child wouldn’t get hurt riding in a car without them, but we know from research that without a car seat or seat belt, your child is at greater risk of serious injury. The same is true for vaccines. Vaccines decrease your child’s risk of serious illness, disability, and death. (Source: Plain Talk About Immunizations manual)
02
Childhood vaccinations are provided at no cost to people in Washington state.
The Washington State Childhood Vaccination Program provides vaccines to children 18 years old and younger at no cost, regardless of insurance coverage or immigration status.

When you take your child to a health clinic in Washington State, you might have to pay a small charge for the office visit, but you will not be charged for the vaccine itself. Find participating health care providers on the Department of Health’s Vaccine Provider Map.
03
Vaccines have a long history of successfully protecting people and communities against infectious diseases.
Vaccines have saved more human lives than any other invention in history. Some sources say we began using them as early as 200 BCE. Researchers continue to advance vaccines year after year, making them even safer.

Learn more about how vaccines are developed and approved.

Learn more about the history of vaccines.
04
Getting multiple vaccines at once will not harm or overwhelm your child’s immune system.
Scientific data shows that giving a child several vaccines at the same time does not have negative effects on a healthy immune system. In fact, the immune system of a newborn can recognize and respond to hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of different organisms. According to a study published in the January 2002 issue of Pediatrics, scientists estimate that a child could receive up to 10,000 vaccines in one day and still not “use up” their immune response.

Some additional things to consider:
- Combination vaccines (vaccines that protect against multiple diseases) can reduce the number of shots your child receives, while still providing the same protection.
- Some diseases are more serious for infants than older children, which is why it’s important to follow to the recommended vaccine schedule.
- Adjusting the schedule may lead to more costs for more doctor visits and repeated discomfort for your child.
(Source: Plain Talk About Immunizations manual)
05
Getting vaccinated is the single most important way parents can protect their children against serious diseases.
If unvaccinated children are never exposed to diseases, they won't get sick. If unvaccinated children are exposed to diseases, there's a good chance they will get sick. How sick your child gets depends on the child and the disease. Diseases are unpredictable and vary from child to child. At the least, your child could get a mild rash and have to stay home from child care or school for a few days. On the other hand, they could become sick enough to be hospitalized, suffer a permanent disability, or die.

If your child gets one of these diseases, they could also spread it to other kids who aren't protected. If enough kids in your community are not vaccinated, it could lead to an epidemic.

Some important reasons to get your child vaccinated:
- Prevent common but serious illnesses. Some diseases, like pertussis (whooping cough), flu, varicella (chickenpox), and rotavirus, are very common in the U.S. Choosing not to vaccinate is a choice to risk getting a serious and sometimes deadly disease. These diseases can also leave lasting health issues and long term effects.
- Prevent diseases that still exist. Some diseases, like measles and mumps, still occur in the U.S. at low levels. If fewer people are vaccinated against these diseases, outbreaks can occur.
- Prevent diseases that are literally a plane ride away. Although some diseases, like polio, are rare or do not exist in the U.S., they are still common in other parts of the world. When you travel to other countries you can expose yourself to other diseases.
- Protect others in your family and community. By getting your child vaccinated, you also protect those who:
  - Have weakened immune systems.
  - Are not fully vaccinated.
  - Cannot get shots because of a medical condition or because they are too young or too old.
Learn more about U.S. vaccination rates, gaps, and recent disease outbreaks.
06
A healthy immune system does not outweigh the benefits of vaccination.
Getting vaccinated is like learning how to read. Vaccines are like books our bodies use to practice reading and understanding viruses. Just as we remember how to read after we become literate, our bodies remember how to detect and respond to viruses after the vaccine has left our body.

Regardless of how healthy your child’s immune system is, if they’re not vaccinated, their body won’t be nearly as prepared if exposed to diseases. The benefits of vaccines outweigh the normal, short-term side effects vaccines may cause.
07
Vaccines offer a safe and often better way to protect yourself against infections than natural immunity.
The diseases vaccines protect against can be serious and sometimes deadly, which is why it’s important to prevent them completely. Diseases can cause permanent disabilities, like brain damage from measles or whooping cough (pertussis), and cancer from hepatitis B or HPV infections. Some vaccines, such as tetanus, HPV, and Hib, offer a much safer and often more effective way to build immunity.
08
Mild side effects are normal and expected after vaccination.
Vaccines, like medicine, can have some side effects. But most people who get vaccinated, including children, have only mild side effects or none at all.

The most common side effects include fever, tiredness, body aches, and redness, swelling, and tenderness where the shot was given. Mild reactions usually go away on their own within a few days. Serious, long-lasting side effects are extremely rare. We know this because the CDC investigates and reports on serious side effects. Learn more about vaccine safety monitoring systems.

If you have questions or concerns about a vaccine, talk with your child’s health card provider. Learn more about the safety of each recommended vaccines.
09
You have the power to protect your kids from certain cancers.
HPV is an incredibly common virus that nearly all sexually active people will get at some point in their lives. (Source) HPV can cause cancer, the two most common being cervical cancer in women and mouth/throat cancer in men. With the HPV vaccine, you can protect your child from most high-risk types of HPV that can lead to cancer.

HPV vaccines are proven to be safe and most effective when given at younger ages, starting at age nine, producing the most infection-fighting cells, or antibodies, in preteens. While your child may not be sexually active now, they likely will be later in life, which is why it’s important to get them vaccinated.
10
Rigorous testing is conducted to ensure vaccines are safe for babies and children.
A long and thorough process of laboratory testing and multiphase clinical trials ensures that vaccines your child receives remain safe and effective for use. Health experts and organizations like the FDA and CDC regularly inspect and monitor vaccines for safety, efficiency, and quality.

Learn more about how the CDC develops and approves vaccines.

Ask a Vaccine Question

If you have a general vaccine question that hasn’t been answered on this site, submit it here. Check back to see if it gets answered. Please avoid sharing personal or medical information. For specific questions contact your primary care provider. If this is an emergency, please call 911.

Get the Facts on Childhood Vaccines