Many children missed check-ups and recommended childhood vaccinations during the past two years. CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend children catch up on routine childhood vaccinations following disruptions from COVID-19. Talk to your child’s health care provider about the best and quickest way to get up to date.

These are challenging times, but you have the power to help keep your child healthy.

Making sure that your child sees their doctor for well-child visits and recommended vaccines is one of the best things you can do to protect your child and community from serious diseases that are easily spread.

Well-Child Visits and Recommended Vaccinations Are Essential

Well-child visits and recommended vaccinations are essential and help make sure children stay healthy and are protected. Children who are not protected by vaccines are more likely to get diseases like measles, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, chickenpox, influenza, and more. These diseases are extremely contagious and can be very serious, especially for babies and young children.

Young children have the highest risk of having a serious case of disease. Delaying or spreading out vaccine doses leaves your child unprotected during the time when they need vaccine protection the most.

Even young children who are cared for at home can be exposed to vaccine preventable diseases, so it’s important for them to get all their vaccines at the recommended ages.

If your child has missed some scheduled vaccine doses, there is no need to restart a vaccine series no matter how much time passed between doses. Your provider can determine the best and quickest way to catch your child up.

Vaccines in Adulthood

Vaccines aren't just for children. Vaccines are recommended for adults based on age, health conditions, job, and other factors. You can find out if you're up to date by using the CDC's assessment tool:

CDC Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool

Vaccine Documentation

It’s important for you to save and update your child’s vaccine records, since you’ll likely be required to provide them when you register your child for school, child care, or an athletic team.

If you get most care at military hospitals or clinics, you’ll have a DOD electronic health record. Depending on your separation date, your record should be available via your Patient Portal, either TRICARE Online or MHS GENESIS.

Routinely Recommended Vaccines for Children and Adolescents

For more information on the childhood and adolescent immunizations recommended in the United States, consult the easy-to-read schedules below:

Recommended Vaccinations for Infants and Children (birth through 6 years)

Recommended Vaccinations for Children and Adolescents (7-18 Years Old)

Recommended Catch-up Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents