Vaccines

Our goals

• Help you learn about vaccines and the diseases they protect against
• Make it easy to stay caught up on recommended vaccines
• Help you make the best vaccination plan for you and your family

In this section

• Vaccines protect you and your community
• Stay up to date on recommended childhood vaccines
• Make your vaccine plan
• Related resources

Learn about the protection you get from vaccines

Vaccinations are also called immunizations.

Vaccines protect you from getting sick by giving you immunity to a disease. They also keep you from spreading illness to others.

When most people in a community have immunity to a disease, it is less likely for that disease to spread. This is called community immunity.

Resources

• Learn about community immunity in your local community from the American Academy of Pediatrics
• Learn about diseases prevented by vaccines from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
• Learn about measles and how to protect yourself and family

Why to vaccinate your children 

We cannot predict which children will have a mild illness and who will get severely sick when they are infected. That’s why skipping vaccines can be risky. 

Recommended childhood vaccines:

• Keep your child safe from serious and preventable illness
• Help your child’s body develop lasting immunity so they can stay healthy to play, learn and grow

Vaccine preventable diseases and illnesses can:

• Have life-long health effects
• Lead to hospitalization and even death

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has a Recommended Immunization Schedule for children from birth to 18 years. 

Learn more from the AAP about recommended immunizations for your child

When to vaccinate your children

The timing of the AAP vaccine schedule is based on how kids' immune systems develop and learn. Vaccines work best when a child’s body is best ready to respond.  That's why keeping up to date on immunizations starts at birth.

The State of Minnesota:

• Requires certain vaccinations for children in daycare programs and K-12 school
• Follows the AAP Recommended Immunization Schedule

Vaccine schedules

• Find the vaccine requirements for childcare and K-12 school in Minnesota from MDH
• Find the AAP Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule for birth through 18 years

Find vaccine records and clinics

• Find you or your child’s vaccination records from MDH
• Find free or low-cost children's vaccine clinics from MDH

Make your vaccine plan

The decision to vaccinate is personal. We give you the most up-to-date information so that you can make a vaccine plan that works for you.

Learning about vaccines and the diseases they protect against helps you to:

• Make informed health decisions

• Plan for your family’s long-term health

• Make a vaccine plan with confidence

Find MDH recommended vaccine schedules that apply to you

Talk to your healthcare provider

Healthcare professionals stay informed on the most up-to-date vaccine information. Your healthcare providers can help you make the best decisions about your health.

Talk with your healthcare provider about what vaccines you and your child need.

Find vaccine locations

• Find free vaccine clinics in Minneapolis and Hennepin County
• Find MDH's guide to where you can get vaccinated

Minnesota Department of Health

• Find all immunization information
• Learn about vaccines for adults
• Learn how to comfort your child during immunizations

American Academy of Pediatrics

• Learn how and why vaccine schedules changed over time