Immunizations Protect Your Child from Serious Disease

Immunizations (also called vaccines) strengthen your child’s immune system and teach it to fight certain diseases. This plays an important role in protecting your child from getting sick. As parents and caregivers, you work hard to do what’s best for your children. Choosing to immunize is one of the most important decisions you can make.

Find an Immunization Clinic Near You

When Should I Immunize?

It is important your child receives the recommended immunizations according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC’s Childhood Immunization Schedule has been studied and proven to protect children as soon as it is safe and effective to do so. Many vaccine-preventable diseases are a greater risk to babies and young children. Follow the recommended schedule below to keep your child protected and up to date on any required vaccines for attending school and childcare:

Immunization Schedule for Children Ages 0-18 Years

Additional Resources for Families

School and Childcare Immunization Information

It is important to keep your child up to date on required immunizations for school and childcare. Vaccinations play a vital role in keeping your child healthy. The Washington State Department of Health has designed a web page to help you understand the rules around school and childcare immunizations, including all the forms families need to meet immunization requirements. Find more information on vaccines for school and childcare.

Access Your Family’s Immunization Records

MyIR Mobile, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health, offers free access to your family’s official immunization records. Sign up for MyIR Mobile to view and print your family’s immunization information, including COVID vaccinations. As well, certain local pharmacies, clinics, and schools can help you obtain your immunization records. Learn more about MyIR.

HPV Vaccine is Cancer Prevention Made Easy

Today, there is a powerful weapon to prevent six different types of cancer in our kids: the HPV vaccine. HPV is short for Human Papillomavirus, a common virus that is estimated to cause nearly 36,500 cases of cancer in men and women each year in the U.S. HPV vaccination is recommended for girls and boys starting at age 9 and offers the best protection when both vaccine doses are received by age 13. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Prevent Respiratory Illnesses

Vaccines are your best defense against respiratory illnesses including flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). These vaccines help prevent serious illness and hospitalization and reduce disease outbreaks. As temperatures cool, the risks of respiratory illness rise. Help keep your family and community healthy and safe by keeping up on recommended vaccinations. Use Vaccines.gov to find an immunization location near you.

Join the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington

The Immunization Action Coalition of Washington (IACW) works to improve the health of the community by minimizing the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases. IACW is a statewide coalition with members from public health agencies, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, parent advocates, and more.