Vaccines for
a healthy
toddler
Vaccines for
a healthy
toddler
Keep your toddler healthy and ready for preschool
Vaccines are important. They protect babies, kids and entire communities from dangerous diseases. They help little ones develop stronger immune systems, and they get kids ready for preschool and kindergarten.
Vaccine schedules list the age (or age range) when each vaccine is recommended. They are developed by doctors and disease experts, and provide the most protection from diseases while keeping the timing of vaccines safe.
Vaccines are safe and effective—and free for Health Share members. Call your doctor today!
Create a custom vaccine schedule
Want to know when your kiddo is due for vaccines? Create a custom schedule.
Learn which vaccines your toddler needs—and catch up if you've gotten behind
If your toddler has missed some vaccines or if you're not sure, it's not too late to catch up.
Download the vaccine schedule to learn which vaccines are recommended at each age.
Your doctor can help you plan for upcoming vaccines or create a new schedule to catch your child up. Make an appointment today!
6 questions to ask your doctor
Your pediatrician or family doctor is trained to work with you on a vaccine plan that will protect your toddler from dangerous diseases. If you don't know which vaccines your child needs or you want more information, talking to your doctor can help.
Here are some questions you may want to ask:
- Which vaccines does my child need now?
- Which vaccines does my child need in the next year?
- Can you help me make a plan to catch my toddler up on vaccines?
- Can I schedule appointments now for the next vaccines my toddler needs?
- Can I have a list of all of the vaccines that my child needs in order to enter daycare, preschool or kindergarten?
- How will my child feel after receiving the vaccines? Are there any side effects? Is there anything I can do to prepare my child before our visit?
About the diseases
Vaccines protect babies and children against these 14 dangerous diseases. To protect your child, it's important to get all the recommended vaccines.
Chickenpox (varicella)
Causes an itchy rash of blisters and a fever. Can be serious, even life-threatening.
Diphtheria
Causes a thick coating in the back of the nose or throat that makes it hard to breathe or swallow. Can be deadly.
Flu (influenza)
A type of virus that infects the nose, upper airways, throat and lungs. Spreads easily and can cause serious illness.
Hepatitis A
A serious liver disease. Children often don’t have symptoms, but they can pass the disease to others.
Hepatitis B
A contagious liver disease that becomes chronic, or lifelong, in some people. Can cause serious health problems such as liver cancer.
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B)
Can cause lifelong disability and be deadly. Babies and children younger than 5 are most at risk.
Measles
A serious and very contagious disease of the lungs and breathing tubes. Causes a rash and fever.
Mumps
A contagious disease that has no treatment. Can cause long-term health problems such as deafness and swelling of the brain.
Pneumococcal
Can cause serious symptoms, lifelong disability or death. Children younger than 2 are among those most at risk.
Polio
A very contagious disease that can cause lifelong paralysis (can’t move parts of the body).
Rotavirus
Causes severe diarrhea and vomiting. Affects mostly babies and young children and can lead to serious dehydration (loss of body fluid).
Rubella
Dangerous for pregnant women. Can cause miscarriage, serious birth defects or death of a baby just after it is born.
Tetanus
Can cause breathing problems, painful muscle spasms and paralysis. As many as 1 out of 5 people who get tetanus dies.
Whooping cough (pertussis)
Causes violent coughing fits. It is most harmful for young babies and can be deadly.
Source: “Facts for Parents: For Parents of Infants and Young Children (Birth through 6 Years Old).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/child/index.html. Accessed March 7, 2019.
Contact your medical health plan listed on the back of your Health Share member ID card.
If you don't have a member ID card and don't know who your pediatrician or family doctor is, Health Share can help. We can also help you find a doctor who's a good fit for your family and culture. Contact us at info@healthshareoregon.org, or call or 503-416-8090.