When do you get immunizations

Does your child need catch-up vaccinations? There are times when some children should not get certain vaccines or they should wait. While staying on track with all immunizations is important, making sure your child has their annual flu shot will be especially important this year. As the pandemic continues, so too will the high amounts of time we spend at home and indoors — where flu viruses can thrive during cold and dry winter weather.

Flu shots are typically available starting in late August, and this year HealthPartners and Park Nicollet is offering both shot and FluMist options. If you have questions, we have answers. If your child is due for their next round of shots or you need to get them caught up, make an appointment at a HealthPartners and Park Nicollet clinic near you. Every adult should get the Tdap vaccine once if they did not receive it as an adolescent to protect against pertussis whooping cough , and then a Td tetanus, diphtheria booster shot every 10 years.

In addition, women should get the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks. Healthy adults aged 50 years and older should get a zoster vaccine to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease.

In addition to seasonal flu influenza vaccine and Td or Tdap vaccine tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis , people 65 years and older should also get:. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.

Vaccines and Preventable Diseases. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Recommended Vaccines by Age. Minus Related Pages. Between 2 and 3 years of age, your child should visit the doctor once a year for check-ups. Between 7 and 10 years of age, your child should visit the doctor once a year for check-ups.

In addition to seasonal flu influenza vaccine and Td or Tdap vaccine tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis , people 65 years and older should also get: Pneumococcal vaccines , which protect against pneumococcal disease, including infections in the lungs and bloodstream recommended for all adults over 65 years old, and for adults younger than 65 years who have certain chronic health conditions Zoster vaccine , which protects against shingles recommended for adults 50 years or older Immunization Schedules Recommended Immunizations for Adults 19 Years and Older by Age Recommended Immunizations for Adults 19 Years and Older by Medical Condition.

Who should have the HPV vaccine? MMR 2nd dose 4-in-1 pre-school booster. Whooping cough pertussis vaccine. Hepatitis B vaccine at birth, 4 weeks and 12 months. BCG tuberculosis TB vaccine at birth.

This shot called PCV13 protects against a bacteria that causes meningitis, blood infections sepsis , and ear infections. This shot protects against polio. This immunization protects against rotavirus infection , which causes severe diarrhea. This immunization is swallowed rather than given as a shot.

Without this vaccine, most children will get infected by the time they are about 5 years old. Your child's doctor may suggest other shots if your child is at higher risk than other children for certain health problems. These may include:. This shot protects against a bacteria that causes meningitis and blood infections sepsis. Children who remain at high risk need routine booster shots starting a few years after their first doses of meningococcal shots.

Ask your doctor if your child has a high risk of getting infections from bacterial meningitis and whether booster shots are needed. This shot does not necessarily reduce the risk of getting pneumonia.

But it can prevent some of the serious complications of pneumonia, such as blood infections sepsis. Combination vaccines are usually preferred to separate shots because they reduce the number of needle pricks. It is important to keep accurate records of immunizations, including any reactions to the vaccines. Also, your child may need the record later in life for college, employment, or travel.

You may worry that immunizations are dangerous if given when your child has a cold or other minor illness. Talk to your child's doctor if you have concerns about the timing of immunizations.

Immunizations can usually still be given during a mild illness, while medicines are being taken, and in other situations where a child may not be in perfect health. Also, getting several vaccines at the same time is as safe as getting one shot at a time. Some parents fear that the measles-mumps-rubella MMR vaccine may cause their child to develop autism. Misleading stories about the MMR shot and autism have circulated through websites, the media, and word of mouth. But scientific studies have found no connection between autism and the vaccine.

For more information about vaccine safety studies and vaccine side effects, see the topic Immunization Safety. Adolescents need certain immunizations and booster shots for ongoing protection immunity against diseases. Consult your doctor or public health department if your child missed an immunization or if you need to find out whether your child needs a certain one. Protection lasts up to a year for each flu vaccine type. Ask your doctor what is right for your child. There are many types of HPV.

Some types of the virus can cause genital warts. Other types can cause cervical or oral cancer and some uncommon cancers, such as vaginal and anal cancer. If your child already has HPV infection, talk with your doctor about whether to get your child immunized.

People who have a damaged or missing spleen or who have certain immune system problems need a booster dose every 5 years. This booster shot protects against tetanus , diphtheria , and whooping cough pertussis. Some adolescents may need or want additional immunizations for situations that increase a person's risk for exposure to disease, such as being in group living situations when attending college or summer camp or traveling to other countries.

They may have missed shots when they were younger. Or a vaccine may not have been offered when they were younger. These immunizations may include:. This is important if your child never had chickenpox or never got this shot. Chickenpox infection can be very serious when it occurs after childhood. Two doses are needed over at least 6 months. This is important if your child never got this shot. It can be substituted for either or both doses of MMR in children ages 12 months to 12 years. The doctor may have your child stay in the office for up to 15 minutes after the shots are given, to watch for any reactions.

You may worry that immunizations are dangerous if they are given when your child has a cold or other minor illness. Talk to your child's doctor if you have concerns about the timing of shots.

But keep in mind that shots can usually still be given during a mild illness, while medicines are being taken, and in other situations where a child may not be in perfect health. There are very few reasons for which doctors suggest that a person postpone or not get an immunization. Your need for immunizations does not end when you reach adulthood. The specific shots injections you need as an adult depend not only on your age, lifestyle, overall health, pregnancy status, and travel plans but also on who you are in close contact with and what vaccines you had as a child.

Tetanus and diphtheria shots need to be repeated every 10 years throughout adulthood in order to keep your immunity. Each year the U. Your doctor will consider your medical and immunization history and documentation when deciding which shots you need.

This list outlines an adult immunization schedule. Ask your doctor what is right for you. Adults ages 65 and older can get a high-dose flu shot. Three doses are needed over at least 4 months. Adults who have not had this vaccine series need this shot when occupation, travel, health condition, or lifestyle increases their risk of exposure.

A hepatitis combination vaccine is recommended for those who are at risk for both hepatitis A and hepatitis B. This vaccine is approved in the United States only for those 18 years of age or older. This shot does not necessarily reduce your risk of getting pneumonia , but it can prevent some of the serious complications of pneumonia, such as infection in the bloodstream bacteremia or throughout the body septicemia.

This vaccine may help prevent shingles or make it less painful if you do get it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the shingles vaccine. The Tdap shot protects against tetanus , diphtheria , and whooping cough pertussis. The Td shot does not protect against pertussis. It's important to get the Tdap shot at least 2 weeks before having close contact with a baby. You may need or want additional immunizations if certain situations raise your chance for exposure to disease.

Or you may have missed shots when you were younger. Or a vaccine may not have been offered when you were younger. This is important if you never had chickenpox or never got this shot. Pregnant women and people with immune system problems should not get this shot. This is important if you never got this shot.

If you already have HPV infection, talk with your doctor about whether to get immunized. This is important if you never got this shot or never had these diseases.

Women should avoid becoming pregnant for 28 days after getting the MMR shot. Women who are known or suspected to be pregnant and people who have impaired immune systems should not get this shot.

These shots protect against a bacteria that causes meningitis and blood infections sepsis. Routine polio immunization is not recommended for adults ages 18 and older who live in the United States. Consult your doctor or public health department if you missed an immunization or to find out whether you need a specific immunization.

For more information about each vaccine, see the topic Vaccine Information Statements. Before you become pregnant , discuss your immunization history with your doctor.

Your immunity protects both you and your baby. Some vaccines such as the ones for flu and Tdap can be given during pregnancy. Some vaccines need to be given before or soon after pregnancy.

If you are pregnant, your children should still get their immunizations on schedule. You do not need to speed up or delay your other children's immunizations. You may worry that immunizations are dangerous if they are given when you have a cold or other minor illness. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about the timing of shots. But keep in mind that shots can usually still be given during a mild illness, while medicines are being taken, and in other situations where you may not be in perfect health.

Talk with your doctor months in advance of a trip to find out whether any immunizations are recommended. Certain things, such as your age and health, where you are going, and the length of your stay, affect your risk of disease and your need for immunization.

People with certain medical conditions, such as immune system problems , may have different immunization recommendations than healthy people. Also, young children who are traveling may need to receive their routine immunizations sooner than normally scheduled. In most developed countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and western and northern European countries , the risk of exposure to serious diseases is generally no greater than it is in the United States.

The risk of exposure to serious disease may be much higher in developing countries such as those in most parts of Africa and Asia and many parts of South and Central America than it is in most developed countries. This is especially true for areas with poor sanitation for example, poor water and food handling. For example:.

The need for travel immunizations depends on your immunization history, the specific area you plan to visit, the time of year, and whether any outbreaks of disease have recently occurred. Certain activities or modes of travel increase your risk of exposure to disease. These include:. The longer you stay in a country, the more exposure you have to local pathogens that could cause harm. You can get information about travel immunizations by:.