Vaccinations for Kids and Adults

Immunizations for Kids and Adults

Immunizations are essential in preventing severe disease. We follow the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) immunization guidelines to keep your children protected and help everyone avoid serious illness, including:

Flu Shots

The dominant strains of Influenza change from year to year, so the makeup of a flu shot changes as well. Unlike other types of immunizations, experts recommend influenza vaccinations every year – especially for vulnerable populations like children and older adults.

We offer flu shots starting in late summer each year and it’s recommended you’re vaccinated by the end of October. You can schedule your flu shot at your Family Medicine clinic or visit our drive-up flu clinic.

Shingles Vaccines

Experts recommend a shingles vaccine for adults 50 and older as your risk of shingles and complications increases with age. Even if you’ve had shingles in the past, vaccination helps prevent you from getting it again. The shingles vaccine contains live, weakened varicella-zoster virus and provides strong protection from shingles and long-term nerve pain.

Tetanus Shots

Tetanus, or lockjaw, is a serious disease caused by bacteria that affects the nervous system. Tdap and Dtap shots, which contain deactivated tetanus toxins, are both part of child and adult immunization schedules. Experts also recommend tetanus shots any time you have a wound caused by something dirty (like a rusty nail) and it has been more than five years since your last booster.

Pneumonia Vaccines

Pneumonia shots contain the most common infectious types of Streptococcus pneumonia. They immunize patients against pneumococcal disease. Experts recommend vaccination as part of the immunization schedule for children and adults over the age of 65. If you have diabetes, heart problems, COPD or chronic kidney disease, talk to your family doctor about getting pneumonia vaccinations early.

Recommended Vaccination Schedule for Children

Immunization is important at every age, but even more so for children. Young children have underdeveloped immune systems, so exposure to some diseases can be life-threatening. Vaccinations protect your kids from these serious conditions, and everyone around them.

In Iowa, many vaccinations are mandatory. Iowa law requires immunizations for all children attending licensed day care centers, elementary, and secondary schools. You children must be vaccinated according to the Iowa Department of Public Health immunization schedule.

Your children will get more than 50 shots before they enter adulthood. This chart outlines which vaccines are recommended at each age.

Birth

The shots start before you even get out of the hospital. Newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine to protect against liver infection.

Two Months

Your child gets a second hepatitis B shot as early as one month, but no later than two months. But that’s just the beginning. Two-month-old babies also get immunized for:

Rotavirus — A common cause of diarrhea, rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that can easily spread between children. Instead of a shot, the vaccine is given in oral drops.
Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) — One-shot protects against these three common diseases caused by bacteria. Both pertussis, also known as whooping cough, and diphtheria can cause breathing problems in children.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) — Before the vaccine, Hib disease was a common cause of bacterial meningitis in kids under five years old. The vaccination effectively eliminated 99 percent of cases.
Pneumococcal conjugate — Pneumococcal disease can cause infections in the ear, blood, lungs, brain and spinal cord. Children two and under are at the most risk.
Inactivated poliovirus — There hasn’t been a new case of polio in the United States in 35 years — thanks to vaccinations. It’s important to keep it that way to prevent this crippling infectious disease from coming back.

Four Months

At four months, babies get a second dose of rotavirus, DTaP, Hib, pneumococcal and poliovirus to continue building their immunity.

Six Months

Third DTaP, Hib, pneumococcal and polio vaccinations are given to children six months old. They may also get a third hepatitis B shot any time between six months and 18 months.

12 Months

There are a handful of vaccinations recommended once your child turns one. They get fourth doses of DTaP, Hib and pneumococcal. They also get their first immunizations for:

Influenza — The flu shot protects against the expected flu strains that year. Your child will get a flu shot sooner if flu season begins before their first birthday.
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) — This one-shot protects against three potentially serious viral diseases.
Varicella — Chickenpox is a highly contagious virus that can be serious in infants under the age of 12 months, which is why they cannot be vaccinated until they turn one.
Hepatitis A — An infection of the liver, hepatitis A is rarely serious, but can be hard to shake. Symptoms can last a long time or come back after several months.

18 Months

When your child turns one-and-a-half, they catch up on any immunizations they missed in the first 18 months. Some shots, like DTaP, require six months in between vaccinations. Depending on when your appointments are scheduled, your pediatrician may hold off on certain vaccines until this point. They will also get the second dose of hepatitis A to complete the series.

4-6 Years

Between the ages of four and six, your kid gets their final DTaP, polio, MMR and chickenpox vaccines.

11-12 Years

After another long break, the vaccination schedule picks up again. Your child is immunized for:

Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) – The naming order isn't the only difference from the DTaP shot. The Tdap vaccine boosts immunity for these three diseases in the time since the final DTaP vaccine. This version is designed for adolescents and adults and is repeated every 10 years.
Meningococcal – Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection that attacks the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It is commonly spread between 11- and 12-year-olds and is a more recent addition to the vaccination schedule.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) – HPV is the virus that causes cervical cancer. Your child, boy or girl, should receive three doses over the course of six months to prevent this virus.

16 Years

Sixteen is a milestone year for your child. It marks the end of their childhood vaccination schedule! They receive a second dose of meningococcal to end that series.

Every Flu Season from 1-18 Years

Yearly flu vaccinations are recommended. Even though the vaccine is not 100% effective, it’s better to get a flu shot than risk hospitalization or death against something that could have been prevented. Flu shots are quick, easy and readily available. You may not even need to schedule a separate appointment to get your kids vaccinated against the flu every year because their school may offer flu shots.

Vaccinations Required for School

There is little variation between the recommended vaccination schedule and the immunizations required by Iowa law. Children are required to be up to date on all their shots with a couple exceptions: rotavirus, HPV and influenza. Although recommended by the CDC and your pediatrician, these vaccines are not mandatory for school-age children in Iowa. You’ll have to provide an updated certificate of immunization to your day care center or school every year to verify your child’s vaccines.

Once your child gets through the bulk of their shots in the early years, they can receive the recommended — and mandatory — vaccines at their annual school physical or well child visit. No shots mean no school, so schedule an appointment with your pediatrician to get your kid caught up on their vaccines.

When it comes to all-ages, whole family care, Family Medicine providers can do it all. Our doctors and staff lay the foundation for your healthcare home and establish a relationship with you and your family at any age and stage. With convenient locations and easy access, connecting with your family doctor regularly leads to better health outcomes and personalized care. To meet your next healthcare companion, you can schedule online with one of our providers, or call 515.875.9000.