Stay on Track with Childhood Vaccines

Every well-child visit gives parents the chance to understand their kid’s vaccinations. It’s good to know which illnesses vaccines prevent, and how long until the next boosters. And how safe and effective vaccines are in preventing and transmitting disease.

Over the years, vaccines have prevented countless cases of disease and saved millions of lives. “Diseases that kids are vaccinated for haven’t been eradicated. It’s really important we protect ourselves from them,” says Community Health Network Family Medicine Physician Dr. Meghan Miller. She specializes in the health and well-being of children, recommending vaccinations including the flu shot for added protection.

Through the Ages

Age 4: Before starting pre-k or kindergarten, there are two vaccine boosters needed. The first, the MMRV booster, provides combined protection against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Children at this age also receive the DTaP-IPV booster shot for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio, which is a vaccine typically given before age 1.

Age 11: The next required vaccines are around middle-school age. These protect kids from tetanus, meningitis and the human papillomavirus (HPV). This common sexually transmitted infection can cause cancers later in life, including cervical cancer in women. Gardasil — the HPV vaccine — isn’t required but recommended, and includes a booster six months after the first shot. If a child waits until 16, Gardasil is administered in three doses. Early HPV prevention with Gardasil is key, says Dr. Miller. “We want to get it way before the age of 16.”

Age 16: Kids receive boosters for meningitis, and it may be recommended to receive a second vaccine against meningitis B — a strain that can cause kids to be much sicker. This is important, as older teens may be going to college or even in the military, where living in close quarters puts them at higher risk. This is an important conversation to have with your child's primary care physician.

If school’s starting back up for your kids, Dr. Miller suggests a well-child visit for their best overall health. She says planning in advance helps parents get a jump on back-to-school — her office becomes especially busy. Even if your child isn’t due for shots, Dr. Miller recommends yearly well-child visits, even through high school when kids often need sports and activity physicals for the upcoming school year.

Ready for School

“Lump in vaccines with their yearly physical exams. Then we can see how they're doing at school, at home, and address any other concerns like with eating and sleeping,” she says. “There are so many important things we go over at that yearly well-child visit. We’d love to see kids every year.”

Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines

According to the CDC, everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from influenza. The flu vaccination has important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, visits to doctor's offices, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as make symptoms less severe and reduce flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.

For the 2024-2025 season, the CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for most adults ages 18 and older. Parents of children ages 6 months to 17 years should discuss the benefits of vaccination with a healthcare provider. It is especially important to get your COVID-19 vaccine if you are ages 65 and older, are at high risk for severe COVID-19, or have never received a COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr. Miller would be happy to help answer any questions parents may have about vaccines. She is accepting new patients on Indy’s eastside. Request a well-child visit today.

Find Community Health Network pediatricians accepting new patients in your area.