Childhood Immunization Summary Today, children in the United States routinely get vaccines that protect them from more than a dozen diseases such as measles, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Most of these diseases are now at their lowest levels in history, thanks to years of immunization. Children must get at least some vaccines before they may attend school. Vaccines help make you immune to serious diseases without getting sick first. Without a vaccine, you must actually get a disease in order to become immune to the germ that causes it. Vaccines work best when they are given at certain ages. For example, children don’t receive measles vaccine until they are at least one year old. If it is given earlier it might not work as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes a schedule for childhood vaccines. Although some of the vaccines you receive as a child provide protection for many years, adults need immunizations too. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Statistics and Research 2012 National Immunization Survey Data Centers for Disease Control and Prevention FastStats: Immunization National Center for Health Statistics New Study Shows Flu Vaccine Reduced Children’s Risk of Intensive Care Unit Flu Admission by Three-Fourths Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related Issues After the Shots… What to Do If Your Child Has Discomfort Immunization Action Coalition Childhood Needlephobia American Osteopathic Association Childhood Vaccines: Tough Questions, Straight Answers Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Community Immunity: How Vaccines Protect Us All National Institutes of Health Current Vaccine Shortages and Delays Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Evaluating Information about Vaccines on the Internet National Network for Immunization Information Frequently Asked Questions about Thimerosal (Ethylmercury) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Immunization Issues: Vaccine Misinformation National Network for Immunization Information Ingredients of Vaccines Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Is There a Connection Between Vaccines and Autism? Nemours Foundation Possible Side-Effects from Vaccines Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Questions Parents Ask about Baby Shots Immunization Action Coalition Travelers’ Health: Vaccine Recommendations for Infants and Children Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Understanding Thimerosal, Mercury, and Vaccine Safety Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccinating Your Preteen: Addressing Common Concerns American Academy of Pediatrics Vaccination Records for Kids Centers for Disease Control and Prevention What Would Happen If We Stopped Vaccinations? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Teenagers Are You 11-19 Years Old? Then You Need to Be Vaccinated against These Serious Diseases! Immunization Action Coalition Immunizations Nemours Foundation NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Back-to-School Health Tips: Immunizations Vaccines Stop Illness Vaccines: What You Need to Know Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health Check Tools Childhood Immunization Schedule Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Start Here Childhood Vaccines: What They Are and Why Your Child Needs Them American Academy of Family Physicians For Parents: Vaccines for Your Children Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Frequently Asked Questions about Immunizations Nemours Foundation Vaccine Safety Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine-Preventable Childhood Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccines.gov Department of Health and Human Services What Is a Vaccine? National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Childhood Immunization National Institutes of Health Reference Desk Immune System National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Specifics Immunization Schedules for Infants and Children Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Immunization Schedules for Preteens and Teens Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Immunizations for Preterm Babies American Academy of Pediatrics Your Baby’s First Vaccines Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Encyclopedia Immunizations – general overview Children Immunizations: Active vs. Passive American Academy of Pediatrics Kids Guide to Shots Nemours Foundation Vaccination: An Act of Love Pan American Health Organization Patient Handouts Preteen and Teen Vaccines Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Journal Articles Childhood Immunization Array Recommended Immunizations for Children from 7 Through 18 Years Old Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Images Vaccine-Preventable Disease Photos Immunization Action Coalition