Vaccination provides critical protection to children and adolescents. Each dose of vaccine is timed to protect children when they’re most vulnerable and ensure the strongest response. Vaccination providers important protection from serious and potentially deadly diseases such as measles, pertussis (whooping cough), respiratory syncytial virus and more. Simply put, vaccines are safe, effective and life-saving.
Vaccinating during pregnancy is a safe and effective way to protect both you and your baby. It lowers a pregnant person’s risk of serious illness from infections like flu and COVID-19, which can lead to pregnancy complications. During pregnancy, vaccines also pass antibodies to your baby before birth. This early immunity helps shield your baby in their first months of life, when illnesses such as RSV and pertussis (whooping cough) can cause severe breathing problems, hospitalization, or even be life-threatening. Vaccinating during pregnancy provides critical coverage until babies are old enough to be vaccinated themselves against these serious illnesses.