Immunization Schedules and Vaccines
Getting all your vaccines can help you and your children stay healthy. Vaccines are proven to be safe and prevent many diseases when you are vaccinated on time. It is important to understand the side effects of vaccines , so you can make the best decision for your family.
During a checkup, talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about vaccines for yourself or your children.
Is your child nervous or anxious about getting a vaccine? Immunize.org offers ways to address vaccination anxiety for children.
Need to find a doctor?
We can help you find the right doctor to see near you.
Vaccines for Children and Teens (Birth through 18 Years Old)
Protect your children from serious illnesses as they grow. Call your child’s doctor to schedule their next checkup and get them caught up on vaccines.
Here are recommended vaccines available and the sicknesses they protect against:
- Flu or influenza vaccine: Protects against the flu. Flu can make young children and older adults very sick and even lead to death.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine: Protects against MMR. Mumps can cause painful swelling in the cheeks and jaw. Rubella can cause a mild rash, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Measles spreads easily. See a doctor right away if you or your child has measles. Watch the Measles Explained video to learn more about measles.
- HepA vaccine: Protects against hepatitis A, which can make your liver inflamed.
- HepB vaccine: Protects against hepatitis B, which can lead to liver disease, liver cancer and death.
- Varicella (VZV) vaccine: Protects against chickenpox, an itchy rash that spreads easily.
- Polio (IPV) vaccine: Protects against polio, a sickness that spreads easily and can cause paralysis.
- DTaP vaccine: Protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) in children under 7.
- Rotavirus vaccine: Protects against sicknesses that cause diarrhea and vomiting.
- HiB vaccine: Protects against haemophiles influenza (HiB), which make you very ill and can cause infections of the brain, bloodstream and lungs.
- Pneumococcal vaccine: Protects against small infections like ear infections, or more serious sicknesses like pneumonia and meningitis.
- HPV vaccine: Protects against human papillomavirus, or HPV, which can cause cancer in both women and men later in life.
- Meningococcal (MCV) vaccine: Protects against serious sicknesses that can make the brain or spinal cord inflamed, or lead to a blood infection.
- Tdap vaccine: Protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) in children over 7.
Track your baby’s vaccines and checkups
If you have a baby 0-12 months old, our infant wellness map can help you track your child’s checkups and vaccines.
If you are an Alliance member, you can get a printed version of the Infant Wellness Map. Call the Alliance Health Education Line at 800-700-3874, ext. 5580. They are offered at no cost to Alliance members and can be mailed to you.
Immunization schedule
The American Academy of Pediatrics has a recommended immunization schedule for children from birth through 18 years old.
HPV vaccines
Before your child is exposed, you can protect them from 90% of cancers caused by HPV. HPV vaccination prevents cancer-causing infections and precancers in both men and women.
For the best protection, children ages 9-12 years should get two doses of the HPV vaccine given 6 to 12 months apart. For more information, talk to your child’s doctor or see resources on why the HPV vaccine is needed.
Vaccines for Adults
To stay healthy and prevent diseases, you need vaccines throughout your life. When adults keep up with their vaccines, it helps them stay healthy and lowers their risk of serious diseases, like cancer.
Some vaccines that adults (people ages 19 and over) should get are:
- Flu or influenza vaccine: People with chronic illnesses and older adults are more susceptible to getting very sick, or even dying, from the flu.
- Tdap vaccine: Protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine: Protects against MMR. Mumps can cause painful swelling in cheeks and jaw and rubella can cause a mild rash, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Measles can spread easily. See a doctor right away if you or your child has measles. Watch the Measles Explained video to learn more about measles.
- If you were born before 1957, you were likely exposed to measles and are protected without needing to get the vaccine.
- Shingles vaccine: Helps keep you safe from an infection that causes painful rash with blisters.
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV): Protects against pneumococcal pneumonia, which can cause an infection of the lungs that makes it difficult to breathe.
- HepB vaccine: Protects against hepatitis B, a serious liver infection.
The American Academy of Family Physicians provides an adult immunization schedule. Read more about why vaccines are important for all ages on our blog.
Flu vaccines
Flu season is from Sept. 1 to May 31. Getting the flu vaccine each year is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from getting severely sick from the flu.
Alliance members 6 months and older can get a flu vaccine at no cost. When a child between 6 months and 9 years is first vaccinated against flu they will need to receive 2 doses, 4 weeks apart. Talk to your doctor about when your child should get the flu vaccine.
Health Rewards Program
Children ages 7 to 24 months old who get their two flu vaccine doses between September and May will be entered into a monthly raffle for a $100 Target gift card.
For more information about rewards, visit our Health Rewards Program page.
Contact Member Services
Health Education Line
- Phone: 800-700-3874, ext. 5580
