Immunizations by age

Get all recommended immunizations on time. They help keep you healthy and stop the spread of disease to your family and community.

Some diseases, like whooping cough and measles, spread very easily. People who aren’t immunized put themselves and others at risk of getting the diseases that vaccines prevent.

It only takes a small number of unprotected people to cause a disease outbreak.

Infants and young children

Vaccines can prevent serious diseases. Infants and young children are often at high risk of serious problems if they get these diseases. Get all immunizations on time for best protection. The following vaccines are recommended from birth through three years:

Birth through 3 Years

• Chickenpox
• DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis/whooping cough)
• Flu, yearly
• Hepatitis A 
• Hepatitis B 
• Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) 
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Pneumococcal
• Polio 
• Rotavirus

Child care and school-age children

Children in group settings, like child care and school, are often exposed to diseases. To help your child stay healthy and up to date, the following vaccines are recommended:

4 through 6 years 

• Chickenpox
• DTaP
• Flu, yearly
• MMR 
• Polio

7 through 10 years 

• Flu, yearly
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis/whooping cough – if any dose of DTaP was missed)

Tweens, teens and young adults

Tweens, teens and young adults also need vaccines to protect themselves and others against disease. The following vaccines are recommended for these groups of people:

11 through 12 years

• Flu, yearly
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Meningococcal
• Tdap 

13 through 18 years

• Flu, yearly
• Meningococcal, booster dose

19 through 26 years

• Flu, yearly
• Td, every 10 years (Tdap may be substituted).
• Tdap, 1 dose during each pregnancy.

Adults and seniors

By being vaccinated, adults help protect people around them, especially infants and people with chronic conditions or weakened immune systems. Some vaccinations are recommended for adults with certain health conditions, jobs, or lifestyles. Others are recommended specifically for seniors. Talk to your healthcare provider about these vaccines: 

27 through 59 years

• Flu, yearly
• Shingles, age 50 and up
• Td, every 10 years for everyone (Tdap may be substituted).
• Tdap, 1 dose during each pregnancy.

60+ years

• Flu, yearly
• Pneumococcal
• Shingles
• Td/Tdap, every 10 years

For people of all ages: More vaccines may be needed if any were missed. Catch up now.