The new school year is just around the corner, which means it is time to make an appointment with your pediatrician to make sure your child’s vaccines are up to date. This is important every year – but especially in 2025.
At the dawn of the new millennium – just 25 years ago – the United States celebrated a tremendous public health milestone: the dreaded childhood disease of measles had been eliminated. The reason for this huge success? Public health awareness campaigns and widespread vaccinations. The disease could no longer spread because such a large percentage of the American people were protected from it – thanks to vaccines.
It’s a very different story today, unfortunately. In mid-2025, Texas remains in the throes of the worst measles outbreak since 1992. As of mid-June, 750 Texans have been infected with measles this year, 94 of whom have been hospitalized. Tragically, two young children have died from this preventable disease.
How did this happen? How could a disease that was declared eradicated a generation ago wreak such havoc today? The sad truth is that fewer children are being vaccinated. Too many people, for various reasons, are choosing not to vaccinate their children and the inevitable result is more kids are at risk of getting measles.
Of course, measles is not the only serious disease that can be prevented with vaccines – there are many others, as well. As you and your family gear up for a new school year, take the time to see your doctor and make sure your kids are up to date on their vaccines. It’s one of the best things you can do for your children’s long-term health and well-being.
How Do Vaccines Work?
Vaccines are the foundation of preventive healthcare. They protect us by supercharging the body’s immune system to protect against dangerous bacteria and viruses. Different vaccines do this in various ways, but fundamentally, they all train the body to successfully fight off threats. For some diseases, that protection is further enhanced by sending in reinforcements in the form of a booster vaccine sometime after the original vaccine.
When a large percentage of the population is immunized against an illness – usually around 95% – we have achieved what is known as herd immunity. If 95 out of every 100 people are immunized, the bacteria or virus is unable to spread. That’s how measles was defeated 25 years ago.
When vaccination rates drop below herd immunity levels, the disease has new opportunities to spread within the population – and that’s why measles is once again a public health threat.
Combatting Lies About Vaccines
In the last two decades, a lot of false information about vaccines has spread online – this has led to increased vaccine hesitancy. However, claims that vaccines are unsafe or cause negative health effects, such as autism, are untrue.
“Wild claims that vaccines cause autism or other serious health side effects have been repeatedly demonstrated to be false,” says Dr. Adrienne Hiatt, a pediatrician in Saginaw. “Unfortunately, these false claims have taken hold through social media and in online forms, leading some parents to make a well-intentioned – yet dangerous – decision not to vaccine their children.”
“As doctors, we take an oath to put our patients’ health above all else,” explains Dr. Hiatt. “We are committed to giving your child the best care possible. We will also give you, the parents, the best information we can so you can make the best decisions for your child. Please make your doctor your main source of information on ways to keep your kids healthy. An online influencer or politician may have their own agenda and give you bad information.”
Vaccines Prevent These Serious Diseases
Vaccines help protect your children against many diseases – both in childhood and later in life as an adult. Here’s a look at the serious diseases that vaccines will prevent.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
RSV is a respiratory illness that can cause serious problems for infants.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. It is spread through blood and other bodily fluids.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus causes gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the digestive system. It can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever and pain.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the throat and can lead to cardiovascular and breathing problems, paralysis and death. It is spread through the air and direct contact.
Tetanus
Tetanus, also called “lockjaw,” causes tightening of muscles throughout the body. In the event the jaw locks, a person may be unable to swallow. It can lead to breathing difficulties and even death. It can be contracted through a cut in the skin.
Pertussis
Pertussis is also referred to as whooping cough. This disease causes intense coughing fits for infants and young children, leaving them unable to eat or drink. Pertussis can lead to pneumonia and death. It is highly contagious, spreading through the air and direct contact.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib Disease)
Hib disease is a bacterial infection that can lead to meningitis, pneumonia and death. Before the Hib vaccine, Hib disease was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis infections in children younger than five. It spreads through air and direct contact.
Pneumococcal conjugate
Pneumococcal disease can cause ear infections, bloodstream infections, meningitis and pneumonia. Young children and older people are especially vulnerable to pneumonia. Pneumococcal bacteria spread through the air and direct contact.
Polio
Polio is a devastating disease that can cause paralysis and death. It was quite common in the first half of the 20th century. The polio vaccine was developed by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955, and thanks to widespread vaccinations, polio was considered eradicated in the United States by 1979. However, polio cases continue to be reported in some parts of the world, so immunizations remain necessary.
Measles
Measles causes a runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever and a rash that spreads all over the body. As we have seen this year, measles can put some people in the hospital and even cause death. Highly contagious, measles will infect 90% of unvaccinated people who come in contact with it.
Mumps
Mumps causes flu-like symptoms and swollen salivary glands.
Rubella
Rubella produces symptoms similar to measles.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is highly contagious and spreads through air and direct contact. It causes severe rash, fever and fatigue. The virus that causes chickenpox can also cause shingles in adults.
Before a vaccine was approved for use in 1995, chickenpox was quite common, usually affecting children ages 10 and younger.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A attacks the liver. It generally spreads through accidental ingestion of microscopic amounts of fecal matter.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
This vaccine is important for protecting children later in life. HPV vaccination prevents six types of cancer. Who doesn’t want to reduce cancer risk for themselves or their children?
HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer and can also lead to several other types of cancer: anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile and oropharyngeal, which is on the rise – especially among middle-aged men.
HPV is a common virus transmitted through sexual contact. In most cases, HPV is harmless, but sometimes it can alter cells and cause cancer. The HPV vaccine dramatically reduces the odds of ever developing these six cancers. And if you’re an adult who never got an HPV vaccine, you could still get one up to age 45.
Meningitis
There are several different forms of meningococcal disease, some of which can be prevented through vaccinations. This disease causes meningitis, which attacks the central nervous system by infecting membranes on the brain and spinal cord. It can also cause infection of the bloodstream.
Meningitis is prone to be transmitted between teenagers and college students through sharing drinks, kissing and living in close quarters, such as a dorm. Meningitis is a highly contagious, dangerous illness that leads to death in 1 out of 10 cases. Those who survive the disease often have very serious and lasting health conditions. Vaccinations are the best way to prevent infection.
Other Illnesses Vaccines Can Prevent or Weaken
Influenza (Flu)
Flu can make people of all ages sick for a week or two. It can be especially dangerous for very young children. Fever, aches, pains are all common with the flu. In some cases, it can lead to pneumonia.
While the annual flu vaccine does not always prevent the flu, it reduces the chances of getting it and lessens the symptoms if you do.
COVID-19
COVID-19 is still around, continually updating itself with new variants and causing a variety of unpleasant respiratory symptoms.
Just like the flu shot, the COVID vaccine reduces the likelihood of getting COVID and reduces the severity of the symptoms if you do get it.
Childhood Vaccine Schedule
Your child needs specific vaccines as they grow up. For some diseases, the vaccine is administered in multiple doses.
The following are standard guidelines developed and issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics. If your child has an underlying health condition, your physician may recommend forgoing a vaccine or receiving additional vaccines.
Here’s a look at all recommended childhood vaccines, by age group:
Birth
- Hepatitis B (HepB), 1st dose
Birth – 7 months
- RSV (RSV-mAB): 1 dose, depending on mom’s RSV vaccine status during pregnancy and time of year of birth (due to RSV being a seasonal illness)
1-2 Months
- HepB, 2nd dose
2 Months
- Rotavirus (RV), 1st dose
- Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP), 1st dose
- Hib, 1st dose
- Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV 15, PCV 20), 1st dose
- Inactivated poliovirus (IPV), 1st dose
4 Months
- Rotavirus (RV), 2nd dose
- Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP), 2nd dose
- Hib, 2nd dose
- Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV 15, PCV 20), 2nd dose
- Inactivated poliovirus (IPV), 2nd dose
6 Months
- Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP), 3rd dose
- Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV 15, PCV 20), 3rd dose
- Rotavirus (RV), 3rd dose, depending on type of vaccine
- Hib, 3rd dose, depending on type of vaccine
6 Months & Repeat Every Year
- Influenza
- COVID-19, after consultation between parent and doctor
6-18 Months
- HepB, 3rd dose
- Inactivated poliovirus (IPV), 3rd dose
12 Months
- Hib, 3rd or 4th dose
- Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV 15, PCV 20), 4th dose
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), 1st dose
- Varicella, aka chickenpox (VAR), 1st dose
12-23 Months
- Hepatitis A (HepA), 2-dose series
15 Months
- Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP), 4th dose
4-6 Years
- Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP), 5th dose
- Inactivated poliovirus (IPV), 4th dose
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), 2nd dose
- Varicella (VAR), 2nd dose
11-12 Years
- Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Meningococcal, 1st dose
16 Years
- Meningococcal, 2nd dose
Vaccines Make Healthy Children – and Adults!
If your child is sick or hurt, you’re going to do everything in your power to make them feel better again. By making sure your kids get all their recommended vaccines on schedule, you can prevent them from getting serious illnesses in the first place.
“If you have questions about vaccines, please ask your pediatrician – we are here to answer your questions,” says Dr. Hiatt. “Like you, we want what’s best for your child, so they can thrive and grow into healthy adults.”
This article has been reviewed and approved by a panel of Privia Medical Group North Texas physicians.
This article contains information sourced from:
