Childhood and Adolescent Immunizations
Why Immunize?
Immunization is one of the most important things you can do to protect your children. Getting all of their recommended shots on time gives them the best protection from serious and sometimes deadly diseases. Recommended Vaccines For Infants and Children, Birth Through 6 Years and 7 Through 18 Years
Every year babies and children still get sick and die from illnesses in the United States that vaccines could have prevented. Some of these include: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Pneumonia, COVID-19, Influenza (flu), Measles, Meningitis and Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Due to increased travel across the world the risk of these illnesses can come from even more sources than ever before. Vaccinations help make a child's immune system strong so they can fight disease no matter where they are or who they come in contact with.
Make an appointment to catch-up on any missed vaccinations as soon as possible.
Recommended Vaccines
It is very important that all children get all vaccines according to the recommended vaccination schedule. The schedule is designed to provide children with the protection they need when they need it most.
Find out which vaccines your children need by referring to the schedules below:
- Your child needs vaccines as they grow! | Vaccines & Immunizations | CDC (PDF)
- Older children and teens need vaccines too! | Vaccines & Immunizations | CDC (PDF)
There are practical reasons to follow the recommended vaccine schedule, too. Delaying vaccinations, or spacing them out, can lead to more visits to the provider's office and leaves the child unprotected
Immunization Requirements for School Entrance
New York State requires certain immunizations for school entry. Make sure your child's immunizations are up-to-date before school starts.
In the United States, the vaccine schedule is developed by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP is a group of medical and public health experts that develops recommendations on how to use vaccines to control diseases. Decisions about the age or ages when vaccines should be given, the number of doses needed, the amount of time between doses, and situations when vaccines should not be given, are carefully studied and calculated. The science-based recommendations are then adopted by other organizations, including the New York State Department of Health and most health care providers.
For fact sheets with answers to many of your questions about diseases that can be prevented by vaccines, visit:
Vaccine Safety
Decades of research show that vaccines prevent disease. And an overwhelming number of studies show that they are safe and effective. Myths and misinformation about vaccines and vaccine safety can cause confusion. This makes it hard for parents to make informed decisions about their children's care.
Many national and international health and medical organizations agree that vaccines are safe and save lives, including the New York State Department of Health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the National Association for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Talk to your doctor and be sure to stay on top of the recommended vaccine schedule (PDF). Keep your child vaccinated and safe from disease as soon as possible.
To learn more about vaccine safety:
Paying for Vaccines
All private insurance plans regulated by New York State are required to cover the cost of all ACIP-recommended vaccines for patients until they are 19 years old.
A federal program called the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program can help pay for your child's vaccines. This is true if your child is 18 or younger, not insured or underinsured, eligible for Medicaid, an American Indian or Alaska Native. For details, visit: New York State Vaccines for Children Program.
If you have recently lost your job or health insurance because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the VFC program can help.
