Stay on schedule for the best protection

Vaccines are the best defense against many serious (and preventable) diseases. Keeping up with recommended vaccine schedules throughout all life stages is one very important key to maintaining your and your family’s best health. Vaccines are also the best way to protect your greater community—especially those members who are too young, too old, have a weakened immune system, or a health condition that makes them especially vulnerable to serious health problems if they become ill.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that multi-dose vaccine series (multiple doses over time) be started and completed on time for the best protection. Hundreds of the country’s top doctors, public health professionals, and scientists carefully design vaccine schedules to provide safe and effective protection at the right time.

Infancy to age 2 years:

Babies are born with some immunity and breastfeeding also provides some immunity, however, your child is not protected from many of the 14 potentially serious diseases vaccines protect against. Young children have the highest risk of having a serious case of disease that could cause hospitalization or death. Vaccinating your child early, before they are exposed to the potentially dangerous diseases, is the best protection. If vaccines are missed, ask your child’s provider about creating a catch-up schedule.

Toddlers to teens:

Several of the vaccines recommended at this life stage are additional doses or boosters of immunization series begun as infants. Additional vaccines typically recommended by the CDC for children/adolescents before the age of 12 include:

• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) – also known as Tdap: One shot between the ages of 11 and 12 years to boost immunity.
• Covid and seasonal flu
• Meningococcal (routine conjugate): One shot for all preteens and teens at 11 to 12 years old.
• Human papilloma virus (HPV): Two doses are recommended for all boys and girls at ages 11–12; the vaccine can be given as early as age 9.

DID YOU KNOW? More than 42 million Americans are infected with types of HPV that are known to cause disease, including cancers. Approximately 13 million Americans, including male and female teens, become infected with HPV each year.

Adults aged 19+:

As childhood vaccine immunity wears off over time, adults need to keep their vaccinations up to date. Additionally, there are different diseases you are exposed to as an adult for which vaccines offer excellent protection. Recommended vaccines for people 19 years of age and older include:

• Covid and seasonal flu
• Tetanus, Tetanus and diphtheria (Td), or Diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap)
• Zoster (shingles)
• Pneumococcal

Pregnant?

See this issue’s article about Prenatal Visits for information about which vaccines offer protection for both you and your baby.

View Vaccine Schedules: In addition to the vaccines listed above, other vaccines may be recommended. For more information, the full list of vaccines, and immunization schedules for all ages, please see Vaccines and Immunizations | CDC.