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WHEN
is an ounce of preven-
tion worth more than a pound of
cure? When it has the potential to
save your child’s life.
Vaccines are like an ounce of
prevention. They don’t take long
to give. And insurance usually
covers them. But they could keep
your child from getting certain
diseases—and help keep others safe
3 great reasons to
vaccinate your kids
from those diseases too. Here’s how:
1
Vaccines protect against life-
threatening illnesses.
Thanks to
vaccinations, some diseases that
used to injure or kill kids, like polio
and smallpox, have been completely
or nearly eliminated in the U.S.
But other serious illnesses (such as
meningitis, measles and whooping
cough) are still around. Vaccinating
your kids protects them—safely.
Doctors and scientists review
vaccines to ensure their safety. Very
few children have serious side ef-
fects. And because vaccines are 90
to 99 percent effective in preventing
disease, the benefits outweigh any
possible side effects for most kids.
2
They protect others.
Some dis-
eases, like chickenpox and measles,
are highly contagious. But getting
your kids vaccinated greatly reduces
their risk of catching these diseases—
and passing them on to others. That’s
especially good news for vulnerable
people, including newborns who
haven’t had all their shots yet.
3
They save time and money
today—and tomorrow.
Vaccinated
kids avoid diseases that could make
them miss school. They’re also
protected from illnesses that could
lead to long-term disability, lost work
time and wages, and high medical
costs.
For more about vaccinations, visit
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules
.
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Department of Health and
Human Services
Range of routinely recommended ages
Range for certain high-risk groups
Range for catch-up immunizations
Range for non-high-risk groups subject to doctor’s advice
BIRTH
MONTHS
YEARS
0
1
2
4
6
9
12
15
18 19–23 2–3 4–6
7–10 11–12 13–18
HepB
HepB
HepB
HepB
HepB series
RV
RV RV*
DTaP DTaP DTaP
DTaP
DTaP
DTaP
DTaP Tdap Tdap Tdap
Hib
Hib Hib* Hib
Hib*
Hib
Hib
PCV13 PCV13 PCV13 PCV13
PCV13
PCV13
PCV13
PPSV23
IPV IPV
IPV
IPV
IPV
IPV series
Flu, yearly (2 doses*)
Flu, yearly
MMR
MMR
MMR
MMR
MMR series
VAR
VAR
VAR
VAR series
HepA series
MCV4 series
MCV4
MenB
Updated 2016,with information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HepA series
MCV4 series
HPV series
Routine vaccines
children need
These are general recommendations.
Talk with your doctor about what is
right for your child.
RECOMMENDED
IMMUNIZATION
SCHEDULE
DTaP
= diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis
(whooping cough)
Flu
= influenza
HepA
= hepatitis A
HepB
= hepatitis B
Hib
=
Haemophilus influenzae
type b
HPV
= human papillomavirus
IPV
= polio
MCV4
= meningococcal
MenB
= meningococcal
MMR
= measles, mumps, rubella
PCV13
= pneumococcal
PPSV23
= pneumococcal
RV
= rotavirus
Tdap
= tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis
VAR
= varicella (chickenpox)
*Needed in some cases
HPV
MenB
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