Why immunize? Vaccines keep your family and your community safe.
Immunizations are shots that protect your child from diseases like polio, measles, mumps, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and hepatitis A and B. Immunizations are also called vaccines.
Your child must show proof of being up to date on immunizations to attend school or go to a licensed childcare center.
Immunizations required by the state government are covered for Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) members. There is no copay for getting your child vaccinated.
How do vaccines protect your community?
When enough people in a community are vaccinated, the whole community becomes safe from infectious diseases. This is called herd immunity. It means that there aren’t enough unprotected people in a community for a disease to spread to.
Vaccines are important tools for protecting your community because not everyone can get immunized, including babies, immunocompromised children and adults, and pregnant individuals.
Tips for making vaccinations easy
- Combine getting shots with regular well-child physical exams. When you combine immunization visits with well-child visits, you can get gift cards through CHPW’s Well Child Program. Some CHPW clinics have extended hours to fit your schedule, and may be open in the evening or on Saturdays.
- Stay calm when the needles come out. When you look and feel relaxed, it helps your child stay calm and relaxed.
- Keep an immunization record. Write down the name of the vaccines your child has gotten, the date, and how old your child was at the time. If you aren’t sure your child has had the right immunizations, bring the shot record to your next doctor’s visit.
- Immunization schedules can change. Check with your doctor about the right immunization schedule for your child.
Immunization schedule
By 2 years of age, your child needs a complete set of these immunizations:
- DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
- Polio
- HIB (H Influenza Type B)
- Hepatitis B
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate)
- Varicella (chicken pox) – one dose between 12 and 18 months
Between 2 and 18 years, high-risk children should receive:
- Hepatitis A
Between 4 and 6 years, your child should get a booster for:
- DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
- Polio
Between 4 and 12 years, your child should get a booster for:
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Between 14 and 16 years, or every 10 years, your adolescent should get a booster for:
- TD (Tetanus, Diphtheria)
If your child needs to catch up on missed immunizations, please talk to their doctor.
