School-ready
Playground-ready

with vaccines

I want to...

View Vaccinations

Find a Clinic

View FAQs

Vaccines for Children

Vaccines play a critical role in keeping children healthy as they grow. From infancy through adolescence, each recommended vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses like measles, whooping cough, and meningitis. The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) is here to support parents and caregivers with accurate, up-to-date information about what vaccines children need and when. Explore trusted resources to help guide your decisions, with age-based vaccine schedules, answers to common parent questions, and tools for finding nearby providers and learn about cost assistance.

Stick to the Vaccine Schedule

Pediatric vaccines are crucial for protecting children from serious and life-threatening diseases. Following the recommended vaccine schedule ensures kids get their shots at the best times for the strongest protection. This schedule is carefully designed based on extensive research to protect children when they are most vulnerable and before they are exposed to harmful germs.

Disclaimer: Please consult your primary care provider or licensed healthcare professional to receive individual guidance based on your child’s vaccination and health history.

Hepatitis B

Protects against the hepatitis B virus, which can cause chronic liver disease, liver failure, or cancer.

RSV

Helps prevent severe illness from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a virus that can lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia, especially in infants.

Hepatitis B

Protects against the hepatitis B virus, which can cause chronic liver disease, liver failure, or cancer.

PCV

Guards against pneumococcal bacteria (PCV), which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.

DTaP

Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTap), three serious bacterial infections that can cause breathing problems, muscle stiffness, and severe coughing.

Rotavirus

Helps prevent severe diarrhea and vomiting in infants caused by rotavirus, a highly contagious virus that spreads easily in childcare settings.

Hib

Prevents infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), which can lead to meningitis, pneumonia, and life-threatening throat swelling in young children.

Polio

Protects against poliovirus (IPV), which can cause paralysis and lifelong disability.

DTaP

Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTap), three serious bacterial infections that can cause breathing problems, muscle stiffness, and severe coughing.

Rotavirus

Helps prevent severe diarrhea and vomiting in infants caused by rotavirus, a highly contagious virus that spreads easily in childcare settings.

Hib

Prevents infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), which can lead to meningitis, pneumonia, and life-threatening throat swelling in young children.

Polio

Protects against poliovirus (IPV), which can cause paralysis and lifelong disability.

PCV

Guards against pneumococcal bacteria (PCV), which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.

DTaP

Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTap), three serious bacterial infections that can cause breathing problems, muscle stiffness, and severe coughing.

Rotavirus

Helps prevent severe diarrhea and vomiting in infants caused by rotavirus, a highly contagious virus that spreads easily in childcare settings.

Hib

Prevents infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), which can lead to meningitis, pneumonia, and life-threatening throat swelling in young children.

Influenza

Provides yearly protection against seasonal influenza (flu), reducing the risk of serious complications like hospitalization or pneumonia.

Polio

Protects against poliovirus (IPV), which can cause paralysis and lifelong disability.

PCV

Guards against pneumococcal bacteria (PCV), which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.

DTaP

Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTap), three serious bacterial infections that can cause breathing problems, muscle stiffness, and severe coughing.

Varicella

Prevents varicella (chickenpox), a contagious virus that causes an itchy rash and can lead to complications such as pneumonia or brain inflammation.

Hib

Prevents infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), which can lead to meningitis, pneumonia, and life-threatening throat swelling in young children.

Hepatitis A

Protects against hepatitis A virus (HepA), which causes liver inflammation and is typically spread through contaminated food or water.

PCV

Guards against pneumococcal bacteria (PCV), which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.

Influenza

Provides yearly protection against seasonal influenza (flu), reducing the risk of serious complications like hospitalization or pneumonia.

MMR

Protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), three highly contagious viral infections that can lead to serious health issues like brain swelling, infertility, or birth defects.

DTaP

Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTap), three serious bacterial infections that can cause breathing problems, muscle stiffness, and severe coughing.

Influenza

Provides yearly protection against seasonal influenza (flu), reducing the risk of serious complications like hospitalization or pneumonia.

MMR

Protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), three highly contagious viral infections that can lead to serious health issues like brain swelling, infertility, or birth defects.

IPV

Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) protects against polio, a viral infection that can cause paralysis and muscle weakness.

Varicella

Prevents varicella (chickenpox), a contagious virus that causes an itchy rash and can lead to complications such as pneumonia or brain inflammation.

HPV

Protects against human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can lead to cervical, throat, and other cancers, as well as genital warts.

Tdap

A booster vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) in adolescents and adults.

MenACWY

Protects against four strains of meningococcal bacteria (MenACWY) that can cause meningitis and serious bloodstream infections.

Influenza

Provides yearly protection against seasonal influenza (flu), reducing the risk of serious complications like hospitalization or pneumonia.

Vaccination Schedule

Care Close

to Home

Find everything you need to get vaccinated close to home. View nearby health departments, transportation options, and upcoming community events.

Find a Clinic

IDPH Vaccine Locator

Pfizer Vaccination Assistant

Solv vaccine locator

Cost

Assistance

Cost Shouldn’t Stop Your Child from Getting Vaccinated. Many vaccines for children are fully covered by Medicaid, private insurance, or the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. If you don’t have insurance, local health departments often provide low-cost or free vaccines through federally funded programs to make sure every child gets protected.

Need help?

Ask your local health department about sliding scale fees or free vaccine clinics
Use the IDPH Vaccine Locator to find providers that accept your insurance or offer low-cost options

FAQ

School-ready Playground-ready

with vaccines

I want to...

View Vaccinations

Find a Clinic

View FAQs

Vaccines for Children​

Hepatitis B

RSV

Care Close

to Home​

Find everything you need to get vaccinated close to home. View nearby health departments, transportation options, and upcoming community events.​

Find a Clinic

Cost

Assistance

Common Questions, Real Answers

Why shouldn’t I delay vaccines if I plan to get all of them eventually?

How effective is the flu vaccine?

What impact have childhood vaccinations had on health in the U.S.?

Should my child get multiple vaccines at once?

How effective are vaccines at preventing disease?

What are the side effects for children?

School-ready
Playground-ready

Vaccines for Children

to Home

Find everything you need to get vaccinated close to home. View nearby health departments, transportation options, and upcoming community events.