During the first two years of your baby's life, you will go to your baby’s healthcare provider several times for well visits. At many of these visits, you will have the opportunity to protect your child from a number of potentially severe childhood diseases.

Right around the time your child is starting school, there will be another opportunity to protect them from several diseases. Typically, children receive additional doses of DTaP, MMR, chickenpox and polio during this period. These additional doses "remind" your child's immune system that it has seen these viruses and bacteria before and the protective response becomes even stronger. These “reminders” are called booster doses.

Your adolescent might require more than just their sports physical when visiting the doctor. Check with their healthcare provider to see if they are up to date on all vaccines. In addition to any vaccines they previously missed or did not finish, they may be recommended to get human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcus and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccines, depending on their age at the time of the appointment.

Teens may be recommended to receive vaccines they missed or did not finish during their younger years, and they may be recommended to get additional vaccines, depending on their age at the time of the appointment. Check with your teen’s healthcare provider to ensure they are protected.

Vaccines aren’t only for children. Adults should be up to date on their vaccines as well. Some adults require vaccines because of underlying medical conditions, their occupation or lifestyle choices, travel or age.