Children need vaccinations to protect them from dangerous childhood diseases. These diseases can have serious complications and even kill children. Making sure your child has all of their vaccinations can protect them. Although vaccines may have mild side effects, and more rarely, serious complications, in general it is safe to immunize your child.

Vaccines help the body create antibodies. Antibodies are our body's defensive cells that fight off any foreign substance (germs). Sometimes we can create antibodies on our own. Vaccines help us create immunity to certain diseases.

The immunizations that children should receive are:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP) Immunizations
• Hepatitis B (HBV) Immunizations
• H. Influenzae type b (HIB) Immunizations
• Inactivated Polio (IPV) Immunizations
• Influenza Immunizations
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Immunizations
• Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) Immunizations
• Varicella (Chickenpox) Immunizations
• Universal Birth Dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a vaccination schedule that lists the ages (or age ranges) for when each vaccine or series of shots is to be given.

Childhood Immunization Schedule

Vaccines for Teens and College Students

Meningococcal Vaccine