Grow Up Strong -- Vaccinate Your Child
Immunizations, or vaccines, help your child's body recognize and fight germs, providing protection each time he or she comes in contact with certain infectious diseases.
Have your child properly immunized, starting when he or she is an infant and continuing through his or her teen years. Doing so greatly reduces the chances of your child getting dangerous diseases, such as measles, whooping cough, hepatitis B, and chickenpox, which can make your child very ill, cause permanent damage, or may even be fatal.
Children must be given a complete series of shots to be fully protected, so check with your child's pediatrician about the specific vaccinations your child needs, and when. Immunization information is also available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at 1-800-232-4636 or by visiting the CDC Web site.
Common childhood vaccinations include:
| Vaccination: | Protects against: |
| HBV | Hepatitis B, a viral disease causing inflammation of the liver; creates lifelong immunity. |
| PCV | Bacteria that cause pneumonia and meningitis. |
| DTaP |
Diphtheria, an infectious disease caused by toxin-producing bacteria; may infect nose, throat, and produce skin lesions. Tetanus, an infectious disease affecting the central nervous system. Pertussis (whooping cough), contagious bacterial disease resulting in violent spasms of coughing. |
| HAV | Hepatitis A, a viral disease causing inflammation of the liver. |
| Hib | Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria; a leading cause of meningitis, an infection that causes swelling around the brain and spinal chord. |
| IPV | Polio, an infectious viral disease that affects the whole body, including muscles and nerves. |
| MCV4 | Bacterial meningitis. |
| MMR |
Measles, a highly contagious viral illness marked by eruptions of tiny red spots. Mumps, another contagious viral disease; causes painful swelling of the salivary glands. Rubella (or German measles), a contagious disease spread through the air or by close contact, resulting in a rash. |
| Varicella (Var) | Chickenpox, a classic childhood disease characterized by itchy, fluid-filled blisters. |
| Influenza (Flu) | The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Because young children are at high risk for serious flu complications, a yearly vaccination is recommended, especially for children between 6 months and 23 months. |
| HPV | Human papilloma virus, a sexually transmitted disease that causes genital warts and may lead to cervical cancer. Recommended for girls 9 and older. |
RealAge Projection: If your child keeps taking steps to protect her immune system when she's an adult, her RealAge could be as much as 6 years younger.
