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Vaccines help protect them when we can't
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Scroll this page to learn more about the value of childhood vaccination.
Why vaccinate?
The power of vaccinations
Vaccines have been used for
decades to help teach the body
how to fight off dangerous diseases. Extensive research and testing go into every vaccine, making them a safe and highly effective way to protect your family’s health now
and into the future.
The use of vaccines over the years has saved millions of lives. Widespread vaccination also
helps prevent the spread of disease and protects those who can’t be vaccinated.*
Vaccinations for young children are especially important. Since their immune systems aren’t fully developed, they have a higher risk of serious illness if infected. Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools available to help keep them safe.
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: Making the Vaccine Decision: Addressing Common Concerns (August 9, 2024): cdc.gov.
Vaccines by the numbers
4 million
deaths prevented
Childhood vaccines help prevent 4 million deaths each year, worldwide. By 2030, it’s estimated that more than 50 million deaths can be prevented through vaccination.
1
90+% reduction
in dangerous diseases
Many diseases have been eliminated or reduced by
99% or more because of childhood vaccinations.
2
14 diseases
protected against by age two
Vaccine-preventable diseases include polio, mumps, measles, and pneumococcal.
3
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Fast Facts on Global Immunization (September 19, 2024): cdc.gov.
2 American Academy of Pediatrics: Vaccine Safety: Get the Facts (November 22, 2021): healthychildren.org.
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age
(November 21, 2024): cdc.gov.
Common vaccine concerns and misconceptions
Roll over each bubble to see the facts on each statement.
Vaccines can cause sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The concern:
The concern:
The concern:
Vaccines can cause autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Vaccines contain toxic ingredients.
The facts:
Multiple studies and years of research have shown no link between children receiving vaccines and developing ASD. There is also no research to suggest that any one vaccine ingredient causes ASD.
The facts:
The peak risk period for SIDS is between 2 and 4 months old. While young children receive multiple vaccines across their two- and four-month visits, there has been no research or studies showing a link between the two. For information on how to reduce the risk of SIDS, visit cdc.gov/SIDS.
The facts:
Each vaccine ingredient is individually tested for safety, and each one serves a purpose. In fact, certain ingredients are included to help keep vaccines free of toxins. Rest assured, vaccines only include what is essential to make them safe and effective at building a child’s immunity.
1
2
3
The concern:
The concern:
The misconception:
The misconception:
Children are too young for vaccines.
Vaccines are unnecessary while breastfeeding.
Children can’t get vaccines if they’re sick.
The facts:
Early childhood vaccination has proven to provide the best protection against diseases that once caused serious illness and death in babies, children, and adults. Vaccines are recommended for children at specific ages, including birth, so their bodies can build immunity before they interact with these
life-threatening diseases.
The facts:
If your child has a mild illness like a cold, low fever, or ear infection, it is typically okay for them to receive vaccinations as scheduled. However, it’s always best to talk to your child’s doctor.
The facts:
While breast milk helps lower the risk of illnesses like ear infections or colds, it does not protect babies against the dangerous diseases vaccines target. To get the most protection, breastfed babies should receive their vaccines according to the schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4
4
4
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Autism and Vaccines (December 30, 2024): cdc.gov.
2 Institute for Vaccine Safety: Do Vaccines Cause Sudden infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)? (November 10, 2023): vaccinesafety.edu.
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: What's in Vaccines? (August 10, 2024): cdc.gov.
4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Common Questions About Vaccines (January 30, 2025): cdc.gov.
Vaccination details
Recommended vaccination timing
The following chart illustrates the recommended vaccination schedule set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of 2025. These recommendations were based on advice from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Each vaccine is recommended at a specific time to ensure safety and maximum protection.
1, 2
Choose an age on the chart to highlight only the vaccines your child may need at that age.
Birth
1
2
4
6
8
12
15
18
19-23
2-3
4-6
Months
Months
Months
Months
Months
Months
Months
Months
Months
Years
Years
Recommended vaccines
RSV
HepB
RV
DTaP
Hib
PCV15, PCV20
IPV
COVID-19
Flu
MMR
Varicella
HepA
3
4
RSV
RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus
Hepatitis B
Rotavirus
Diphtheria, pertussis, & tetanus
Haemophilus influenzae type b Pneumococcal disease
Polio
Coronavirus disease 2019
Influenza
Measles, mumps, & rubella
Chickenpox
Hepatitis A
HepB
RV
DTaP
Hib
PCV
IPV
COVID-19
5
(1 or 2 doses yearly)
HepB
HepB
RV
DTaP
Hib
PCV
IPV
RV
DTap
Hib
PCV
IPV
DTaP
Hib
PCV
MMR
Varicella
HepA
HepA
DTaP
IPV
MMR
Varicella
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Years
Years
Years
Years
Years
Years
Years
Years
Years
Years
Years
Years
Recommended vaccines
COVID-19
Flu
Tdap
HPV
MenACWY
MenB
Tdap
HPV
MenACWY
MenACWY
MenB
4
COVID-19
5
(1 or 2
doses yearly)
Flu
Flu (1 dose yearly)
Coronavirus disease 2019
Influenza
Tetanus, diphtheria, & pertussis
Human papillomavirus
Meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease
Keep in mind, the number of doses for certain vaccines may be different than what is noted above depending on the type of vaccine given, your child’s age, or their risk level. Talk to your child’s doctor about their vaccination plan.
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Who Sets the Immunization Schedule? (August 9, 2024): cdc.gov.
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age (November 21, 2024): cdc.gov.
3 Dose depends on maternal vaccination status.
4 Optional for children not at high risk. Talk to your child's doctor.
5 Exact COVID-19 vaccination recommendations will vary depending on previous vaccination status and what vaccines are available. Please talk to your child's doctor.
Catching up on vaccines
The vaccination schedule recommended by the CDC ensures vaccines can be as effective as possible. However, the reality is that appointments and vaccines may get missed along the way.
Maybe you didn’t want to vaccinate initially, or maybe life just got busy. Whatever the case, don’t let it stop you from getting your child vaccinated now. After all, delayed protection is still protection.
At your child’s next well visit, simply talk to their doctor about which vaccinations they’ve missed and the best way to get caught up.
Combination vaccines
When you review the list of recommended vaccines, keep in mind that certain vaccines can be given in combination with others. These combination vaccines are safe, effective and cut down on the number of individual shots a child receives. This means they get the same protection with less pain and discomfort.*
For example, there are six vaccines recommended at a child’s two-month visit. Thanks to combination vaccines, your baby may only need two or three shots to deliver all the protection they need.
Talk to your child’s doctor about which vaccines are available as combination vaccines.
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Multiple Vaccinations at Once (December 20, 2024): cdc.gov.
Helpful tips
Tips for less stressful shots
It’s true that vaccines are important, life-saving care. It’s also true that getting shots at the doctor can be uncomfortable and even a little stressful. Here are nine tips from the CDC on how to calm your child’s nerves or help them feel better after their shots.*
Roll over each tile to learn more about putting the tip into action.
Do your research
Give a sweet treat
Offer a feeding
Give care and comfort
Ask for pain relief
Your child’s doctor may be able to give you an ointment to apply before their next visit to help reduce pain. They may also have a cooling spray you can use just before your child’s shots. It never hurts to ask what’s available, especially if it helps make the vaccine visit less stressful.
Talk to your child’s doctor and review any vaccine details they provide to get familiar with things like the number of shots being given and possible side effects. Prepare yourself for the visit, so you can prepare your child as best as possible.
Tasting something sweet can actually help reduce a child’s pain response. Consider offering a bit of your child’s favorite sweet treat a minute or two before their shots. For children under two, ask their doctor if they have a sucrose or glucose solution you could offer.
Nursing or offering a bottle of formula after shots can help calm your baby and provide comfort. Breast milk and formula are also slightly sweet (see tip number 2).
Of course, a feeding isn’t the only way to comfort an upset little one. Hugs, cuddles, and swaddling are all great ways to help young babies calm down after receiving shots.
Tip 1:
Do your research
Tip 2:
Give a sweet treat
Tip 3:
Offer a feeding
Tip 4:
Give care and comfort
Tip 5:
Ask for pain relief
Be honest and calm
Bring your child's
favorite things
Distract your child
Take deep breaths
Kids, even toddlers, understand more than we realize. To help them feel more prepared, try explaining in simple terms what will happen at their appointment — like feeling a “poke” or “pressure.” Children often look to grown-ups for how to respond in different situations, as well, so try to stay as positive and relaxed as possible.
Pull your child’s attention away from whoever is giving the shots, so they’re not focused on when the poke is coming. You can tell a story, sing a song, make funny faces, or dance around. Whatever you choose, keep it going after the shot is given to help distract from any discomfort as well.
For older kids, try having them take deep breaths to “blow out” the pain. Focusing on breathing helps distract them from the shot or
any discomfort.
Having your child’s favorite book, blanket, or stuffed animal close by can help provide comfort and distraction during vaccinations. Check with your child’s doctor beforehand to make sure it’s okay to bring these things along.
Tip 6:
Be honest and calm
Tip 7:
Bring your child's favorite things
Tip 8:
Distract your child
Tip 9:
Take deep breaths
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Make Shots Less Stressful (July 27, 2023): cdc.gov.
Vaccines help us protect our children so they can grow up healthy, safe, and strong. Talk to your child’s doctor about what vaccinations they’re due for or how they can catch up if needed.
To find a doctor in your plan’s network or to view your plan’s vaccine coverage,
use the Sydney Health app or visit anthem.com/ca.
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