What vaccines do your kids need? Ask their healthcare provider.

 Vaccines can help protect your baby, toddler and elementary-aged kids from serious diseases. How? By boosting their immune system.  

If you have questions about vaccines, like newborn vaccinations or how vaccines work, talk to your child’s healthcare provider. They want to help keep your kids healthy.

Common Childhood Vaccination Questions

  • When should my newborn get vaccinated?
  • Can my kids get multiple vaccines at once?
  • What’s the recommended childhood vaccination schedule?

Vaccinations help keep young kids safe.

Vaccines can help prevent many diseases, including:

And if your kids are vaccinated and do get sick from these diseases, they’re less likely to get seriously ill.

What can your kids expect after getting vaccinated?

Common side effects from vaccines are minor and expected as the body builds immunity. Common side effects include:

  • Redness
  • Soreness
  • Tiredness
  • Headache

Recommended Childhood Vaccination Schedule

Vaccines are recommended for kids at:

  • Birth
  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 12-24 months
  • 4-6 years

Learn about the recommended childhood vaccination schedule.

Who pays for vaccinations?

Private insurance, VFC Program and Hawki are a few entities that pay for vaccinations.

Keep track of your kids’ vaccinations.

It may be required to provide proof of your child’s vaccinations throughout their life. Talk with your healthcare provider about entering immunizations into Iowa’s Immunization Registry Information System (IRIS) and to obtain copies of your records.

Learn more about IRIS.

Are your child’s vaccinations up to date? Talk to their healthcare provider.

They can also answer any questions you may have – like what vaccines are needed for school or how vaccines work. Ask your healthcare provider at your child’s next appointment.

Additional Resources