Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • About HHS
  • Programs & Services
  • Grants & Contracts
  • Laws & Regulations
  • Radical Transparency
  • Big Wins
  • Vaccine Basics
  • Vaccines by Disease
  • Who and When
  • Get Vaccinated
  • Get Involved
  • About Us
Breadcrumb
  1. HHS
  2. Immunization Information for You and Your Loved Ones
  3. Who and When
  4. Vaccines for Infants, Children, and Teens
  • Immunization Highlights
  • Vaccine Basics
    • Vaccine Ingredients
    • Vaccine Safety
      • Vaccine Side Effects
    • Vaccine Types
    • Vaccines Work
      • Vaccines Protect You
      • Vaccines Protect Your Community
  • Vaccines by Disease
    • Chickenpox (Varicella)
    • Cholera
    • COVID-19
    • Diphtheria
    • Flu (Influenza)
    • Hepatitis A
    • Hepatitis B
    • Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B)
    • HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
    • Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
    • Measles
    • Meningococcal
    • Mpox (Formerly Monkeypox)
    • Mumps
    • Pneumococcal
    • Polio
    • Rabies
    • Rotavirus
    • RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
    • Rubella (German Measles)
    • Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
    • Tetanus (Lockjaw)
    • Typhoid Fever
    • Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
    • Yellow Fever
  • Who and When
    • Infants, Children, and Teens
      • Infants and Children Birth Through Age 6
      • Preteens and Teens Ages 7 Through 18
    • Adults
      • Adults Ages 19 Through 26
      • Adults Ages 27 Through 64
      • Adults Age 65 and Older
    • Pregnant Women
    • Travelers
    • People with Health Conditions
    • Health Care Workers
    • Gay or Bisexual Men
    • Military Members
  • Get Vaccinated
    • How to Pay
    • What to Expect - for Adults
    • What to Expect - for Parents
      • Five Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child
    • Where to Go
  • Get Involved
    • Explore Vaccination in Your Community
    • Spread the Word!
      • Graphics
      • Widgets and Web Badges
      • Toolkits
    • Get More Information
  • About Us
  • English
  • Español (Spanish)

Vaccines for Infants, Children, and Teens

Vaccines help protect infants, children, and teens from serious diseases. Getting childhood vaccines means your child can develop immunity (protection) against diseases before they come into contact with them.

And did you know that getting your child vaccinated also protects others? Because of community immunity, vaccines help keep your child’s younger siblings, older family members, and friends from getting sick, too. Learn more about community immunity.

In this section, you’ll find vaccine information and schedules for:

  • Infants and children from birth through age 6
  • Preteens and teens ages 7 through 18

Why do vaccinations start so early?

Young children are at increased risk for infectious diseases because their immune systems have not yet built up the necessary defenses to fight serious infections and diseases. As a result, diseases like whooping cough or pneumococcal disease can be very serious — and even deadly — for infants and young children. Vaccinations start early in life to protect children before they are exposed to these diseases.

Can vaccines overload my child’s immune system?

No, vaccines do not overload the immune system. Your child’s immune system successfully fights off thousands of germs every day. Even if your child gets several vaccines in a day, the vaccines make up only a tiny fraction of the germs their body fights off.

Learn more about how vaccines help the immune system fight off disease.

Why does my child need more than 1 dose of a vaccine?

Children — and adults, too — need more than 1 dose of some vaccines. That’s because it can take more than 1 dose to build enough immunity against a disease. A vaccine’s protection can also fade over time.

That’s why every dose of a vaccine is important.

Do some vaccines protect against more than 1 disease?

Yes. In many cases, your child can get combination vaccines — or vaccines that protect them from more than 1 disease. This means fewer vaccines for them and fewer trips to the doctor for you. Learn more about combination vaccines.

Can I delay my child’s vaccines or spread them out over a longer period of time?

Experts don’t recommend spreading out or delaying your child’s vaccines. There’s no benefit to spreading out vaccinations — and following the recommended schedule protects infants and children by providing immunity early in life. If your child misses vaccines or gets them late, they’ll be at risk for serious diseases that are preventable.

Can my child get vaccinated if they’re sick?

Probably, but ask your child’s pediatrician first. Children can usually get vaccines when they have a mild illness — like a cold, low fever, ear infection, or diarrhea (watery poop). Learn more about vaccines when your child is sick.

Find out which vaccines your child needs

CDC’s Childhood Vaccine Quiz helps you create a list of vaccines your child may need based on age, health conditions, and more.

Take the quiz now!

Get Immunized

Getting immunized is easy. Vaccines are available at the doctor’s office or pharmacies — and are usually covered by insurance.

Find out how to get protected.

Content created by Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP)
Content last reviewed May 6, 2022
Back to top

Subscribe to Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary and Press Releases.

Subscribe
  • Contact HHS
  • Careers
  • HHS FAQs
  • Nondiscrimination Notice
  • Press Room
  • HHS Archive
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Budget/Performance
  • Inspector General
  • Web Site Disclaimers
  • EEO/No Fear Act
  • FOIA
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
  • Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
HHS Logo

HHS Headquarters

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​

Follow HHS

Follow Secretary Kennedy