Regular well child visits and routine immunizations are essential to your son or daughter’s health. These well visits are vital to assess the health, growth and development of your child. They are also a time when your child may receive necessary vaccinations.
Immunizing your child is one of the most important things you can do to prevent certain diseases. Before vaccines were available, many children died or were disabled by diseases we can now prevent.
The U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend that your child receives certain immunizations to prevent or lessen the impact of disease and illness.
At NorthShore, we follow the immunization schedule as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The recommended immunization schedule below is meant to protect your infant and child from potentially life-threatening illnesses prior to exposure and when they are most susceptible.
This schedule is as follows:
- From birth to 18 months: Your child will receive the primary series of vaccines that helps prevent 14 different illnesses.
- Age 4 and Age 10: Boosters for some of these vaccines are given.
- Age 10 and Age 12: Two additional vaccines are given.
- Age 16: A booster is given.
To help you better keep track of when your child should receive recommended immunizations, view the charts below:
NorthShore understands that you may have questions when it comes to the safety or timing of immunizations for your child. Parents are encouraged to talk with their pediatrician or family physician about any concerns before deciding against a recommended immunization.
Vaccines in the U.S. are very safe and are studied extensively before used in the general population. Visit our resources page to read about the vaccines, the diseases they prevent, their safety and other relevant topics.