During this COVID crisis Pediatricians are continuing to see babies and older children during this pandemic.

Get shots for your baby soon! The sooner babies receive their shots, the sooner they will be safe from terrible diseases.

Many dangerous diseases Shots protect your baby from many dangerous diseases. These diseases can cause brain damage, pneumonia, paralysis, cancer and even death.

Afraid to go to the doctor? Call your pediatrician to see if it’s OK to bring your baby to the doctor’s office.

Talk to your baby’s doctor Is your baby on track for her shots? Find out! Ask the doctor any questions you have about your baby’s shots.

Safe? Are shots safe? Yes they are! The vaccines used in the United States are the safest they’ve ever been.

Approved by the FDA Every vaccine that is approved has been tested for at least 7 years by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Even after a vaccine is approved, the FDA continues to watch for any problems.

Side effects Vaccines are like other medications. They can cause side effects. Most side effects are mild. Babies sometimes feel sore or have a slight rash or a mild fever after they are vaccinated. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about shots.

Your baby’s flu shot All babies, toddlers, children and adults need a flu shot every year. Your baby should receive her first flu shot when she is 6 months old if it is flu season. If your baby turns 6 months old when it is not flu season, she should get her flu shot as soon as flu season starts.

Which shots? Your baby needs many shots to protect her. There are 15 childhood diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A & B, Hib meningitis, polio, pneumococcal disease, chicken pox, rotavirus diarrhea, and the flu.

For each disease There is a vaccine to protect your baby against each of these diseases. Some of these vaccines are combined in a single shot. This way your baby will get fewer injections.

By mouth Sometimes babies can receive certain vaccines by mouth.

When? When does your baby need shots? The childhood immunization schedule tells doctors, nurses and parents the best times to immunize babies and children. Your baby needs shots when she is 2 months old, 4 months old, 6 months old, 12 months old, and 15 months old.

It’s not too late! If your baby misses any shots, it’s not too late. She can still receive the shots she needs.

Booster shots Some shots need to be given again. A booster shot contains another dose of the same vaccine the baby received before. More vaccine will provide more protection. She will need booster shots before she starts kindergarten.

Shots for your toddler Read about shots for toddlers here>>

Are you a WIC parent? WIC will help you stay on track with your baby’s shots.

Talk to your WIC educator! Soon after you enroll your baby in WIC, a WIC educator will give you information about children’s shots. And she will give you an immunization schedule.

Baby’s immunization record A WIC educator will ask you about your baby’s immunization record. She will review your baby’s record and tell you if your child is missing any shots.

Free shots? WIC does not provide shots.Your WIC educator may be able to give you a list of clinics that provide free shots for children.