As a parent, your mission is to do all you can to keep your kids safe and healthy, including helping them avoid illnesses. Staying up to date with your child’s vaccinations is one of the best ways to prevent illnesses now and set the stage for a healthy future, too.
The problem: Today, many vaccines are recommended for kids, and keeping track may seem a little daunting, especially considering that some vaccines require multiple doses and that timing is important, too.
Fortunately, the Harbor Community Health Centers team makes childhood immunizations simpler by following the vaccine schedule recommended by the CDC and other medical agencies. Learn why childhood vaccines are important and what vaccines are recommended based on your child’s age.
At birth, babies have some “built-in” immunity provided by their moms. This early innate immunity gives babies the tools they need to ward off many illnesses in the early weeks of life, but it doesn’t provide the level of immunity your child needs to stay healthy and continue to battle bad germs.
Immunizations build on that innate immunity, ensuring your child’s immune system is equipped to handle invading germs and prevent infections, specifically infections most common during childhood. Vaccines do this by helping your child produce proteins called antibodies whose sole “job” is identifying and destroying bad germs.
Because there are many different germs, we need a variety of vaccines to “teach” our bodies how to protect against an array of infections. Each vaccine is designed to target a specific germ, and that’s why kids need so many vaccines as they grow.
Many childhood vaccines provide your child with a lifetime of protection, while others must be repeated during adulthood to maintain their effects. Some, like the flu vaccine, need regular boosters to stay effective.
The vaccine schedule provided by the CDC provides recommended immunizations based on your child’s age. Most vaccines are provided during a child’s annual well visits but can also be administered during a separate office visit.
According to the most recent recommendations, these are the immunizations your child should receive from birth until age 15 months:
Some of these vaccines need multiple doses provided at later ages.
Between 18 months and 18 years of age, the CDC recommends the following immunizations (as well as boosters for some vaccines listed above):
In addition, your child should receive a flu shot every year from birth, and a COVID-19 vaccine and booster when needed.
Most vaccines are recommended before your child's second birthday, but that doesn’t mean they can only receive them then. Early immunization helps your child avoid diseases that can have devastating outcomes, but it’s never too late to catch up if they miss a vaccine.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, which means it’s a great time to schedule a visit and ensure your child’s vaccines are up to date. To learn more about the vaccines we offer or to schedule a visit for your child, call 310-547-0202 to schedule an appointment with the Harbor Community Health Centers team at one of our two locations in San Pedro, California, today.
