Vaccine FAQs: Childhood Vaccines

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes violent and uncontrollable coughing that typically leads to difficulty breathing. Teens with whooping cough can have a serious and debilitating cough that can last for weeks and they can easily spread the disease to others. Protection from whooping cough fades over time, so at 11 or 12 years old,...

Yes – the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) is recommended for 11-12 year olds, with a booster dose at age 16 during a high risk period. 16-23 year olds may also be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccine, preferably given between ages 16-18....

Children should receive four doses of IPV at the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years. View our full childrens immunization schedule here....

The CDC recommends that your child should receive two doses to provide the best protection. The first dose should be administered between 12 to 23 months of age, and the second dose can be given 6 to 18 months after the first. This will ensure your child receives the best protection against hepatitis....

The varicella vaccine protects against chicken pox. Children should get two doses of this vaccine for the best protection....

True – the MMR vaccine provides the best protection against measles. Receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine as children according to the US vaccination schedule provides people lifelong protection. This means that you should never put off the vaccination of your children or yourself!...