Young Children (2 to 10 years old)

Protect Your Child
While vaccine-preventable childhood diseases are at near record or record low levels in the United States, that does not mean these diseases have disappeared. Many of the viruses and bacteria are still circulating in this country or are only a plane ride away. That’s why it’s important that children, especially infants and young children, receive recommended immunizations on time.

Before, During, and After Vaccination

Preparing for vaccination

• What vaccines does my child need?
  • Childhood & adolescent immunization schedule
  • Make your own schedule (birth through 6 years old)
  • Catch-up schedule for children 6 years and younger (has your child missed or skipped a shot?)
  • Screening questionnaire for child and teen immunization
    Immunization Action Coalition
  • School and state requirements
• Vaccination records: finding, interpreting, and recording
• Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
  Explains why get vaccinated, who and when, who should not get the vaccine, what to do if there is a moderate or severe reaction, etc.
• Who should NOT get vaccinated?
• Get the Picture: Childhood Immunizations
  This video answers tough questions that real moms had about childhood immunizations. (6:27 mins; released 4/13/2009)

During Vaccination

• Comforting your child during the shot [413KB, 2 pages]
  Comforting restraint method (page 1 in English; page 2 in Spanish) California Dept of Public Health
• Be there for your child during shots [1.22MB, 2 pages]
  (page 1 in Spanish; page 2 in English) California Dept of Public Health

After Vaccination

• After the shots: what to do if your child has discomfort [79KB, 2 pages]
  Immunization Action Coalition
• Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
  Explains what to do if there is a moderate or severe reaction, etc.
• Reporting a suspected vaccine adverse reaction

Vaccines for Childhood Diseases

Childhood vaccine-preventable DISEASES and VACCINES that prevent them:
Chickenpox (Varicella) | Diphtheria | Hepatitis A | Hepatitis B | Hib | HPV | Influenza (Flu) | Measles | Meningococcal | Mumps | Pertussis | Pneumococcal | Polio | Rotavirus | Rubella (German Measles) | Tetanus

• How vaccines prevent disease
• FAQs about vaccines & diseases they prevent

Parents: What You Need to Know

• Understanding vaccines & their purpose
• Parents who question vaccines
• Myths busted
• What risks are parents taking in their child's healthcare?
• How can I get help paying for vaccines?
  Vaccines for Children Program
• Parents’ Guide to Childhood Immunizations
  A 64-page booklet introducing parents to the 14 childhood diseases and the vaccines that can protect children from them.
• Webcast: Vaccines: "Wading through the Confusion"
  A frank discussion about parents’ questions and fears about vaccines, and features a panel of medical, scientific, public health, and communications professionals. The panel also includes parents whose lives have been touched by vaccine-preventable disease or by autism, as well as a parent seeking reliable information to help keep her children safe and healthy... (60 mins)
  California Immunization Coalition
  

Hot Topics

• Pertussis (whooping cough) – What you need to know
• How well does the seasonal flu vaccine work?

For Kids

• Kid-friendly websites
• Infectious disease trading cards
• All You Have to Do Is Wash Your Hands
  CDC Kidtastics podcast features kids telling kids how and when to wash their hands properly (3:10 mins)
• Why do I need to wash my hands?