School Aged Child Vaccinations
These vaccines are mandated by the state of Connecticut for school-aged children, while additional federally recommended vaccinations, listed in a separate category below, are not required by the state.
Connecticut Mandated Vaccinations
Federally Recommended Vaccines
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine
What is it?
The DTaP vaccine protects children under the age of 7 against three serious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), and pertussis (whooping cough).
What does it do?
The vaccine prevents infection from these bacterial diseases, which can cause severe health complications.
How does it spread?
Diphtheria and pertussis spread through respiratory droplets, while tetanus is transmitted through contaminated wounds.
Signs/Symptoms:
Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the throat; tetanus leads to painful muscle stiffness; pertussis causes severe coughing spells, which can interfere with breathing.
Highest Risk Groups:
Unvaccinated children and individuals who have not received booster doses.
Prevention:
Vaccination is given in 5 doses, starting at 2 months of age, with boosters later in childhood up to age 7.
Why Vaccinate?
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis can cause life-threatening complications. Vaccination is essential for preventing these severe infections.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine Information Statement | CDC
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Vaccine
What is it?
The Hib vaccine protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b, a bacterial infection that can cause severe illness, including meningitis and pneumonia.
What does it do?
The vaccine prevents infections caused by Hib, which can be fatal or cause severe complications in children.
How does it spread?
Hib spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Signs/Symptoms:
Symptoms of Hib infection can include fever, irritability, vomiting, and seizures or coma in severe cases.
Highest Risk Groups:
Infants and young children under 5, especially those under 2 years old.
Prevention:
Vaccination is given in 3-4 doses, starting at 2 months of age.
Why Vaccinate?
Hib can cause life-threatening infections, including meningitis and pneumonia. Vaccination significantly reduces the incidence of these diseases.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: Hib Vaccination | H. influenzae | CDC
Hepatitis A (HepA) Vaccine
What is it?
The Hepatitis A vaccine protects against Hepatitis A, a viral liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus.
What does it do?
The vaccine helps prevent Hepatitis A infection, which can cause jaundice, abdominal pain, and liver failure.
How does it spread?
Hepatitis A spreads through the fecal-oral route, often from contaminated food or water.
Signs/Symptoms:
Symptoms include fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice.
Highest Risk Groups:
Unvaccinated children and adults, especially those traveling to regions with high Hepatitis A prevalence.
Prevention:
The Hepatitis A vaccine is given in 2 doses, starting at 12-23 months, with the second dose given 6-18 months later.
Why Vaccinate?
Hepatitis A can cause severe liver disease. Vaccination is the best way to prevent infection and its spread.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: Hepatitis A Vaccine | Hepatitis A | CDC
Hepatitis B Vaccine
What is it?
The hepatitis B vaccine protects against the hepatitis B virus, which affects the liver and can cause chronic disease or liver cancer.
What does it do?
The vaccine helps prevent hepatitis B infection, reducing the risk of liver disease and cancer.
How does it spread?
Hepatitis B spreads through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, such as unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Signs/Symptoms:
Symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, and dark urine. Chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Highest Risk Groups:
Adults who engage in high-risk behaviors (e.g., injection drug use or unprotected sex) and those with chronic liver disease.
Prevention:
The hepatitis B vaccine is given in a series of three shots over several months, typically during childhood; it is also recommended for adults at risk.
Why Vaccinate?
Hepatitis B can cause severe liver damage, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Vaccination provides lifelong protection.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: Hepatitis B Vaccine Information Statement | CDC
Inactivated Poliovirus (IPV) Vaccine
What is it?
The IPV vaccine protects against poliovirus, which can cause paralysis and even death.
What does it do?
The vaccine helps prevent polio infection by building immunity to the virus.
How does it spread?
Polio spreads through contact with the feces of an infected person and, less commonly, through respiratory droplets.
Signs/Symptoms:
Many people with polio don’t show symptoms, but some may experience fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, and muscle weakness. In severe cases, it can lead to paralysis.
Highest Risk Groups:
Unvaccinated children and individuals in areas where polio is still circulating.
Prevention:
Vaccination is given in 4 doses, starting at 2 months of age, with boosters later in childhood.
Why Vaccinate?
Vaccination prevents the spread of polio and protects individuals from lifelong disability and death. The risk of lifelong paralysis is very serious.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: Polio Vaccination | Polio | CDC
Influenza (Flu)
(Mandatory for Preschools and Daycares, strongly recommended for all other children 6 months and older.)
What is it?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.
What does it do?
The flu virus can cause mild to severe respiratory illness.
How does it spread?
The flu virus largely spreads through tiny airborne water droplets, which are expelled when people cough, sneeze, or talk.
Signs/Symptoms:
People who have the flu often feel some or all these signs and symptoms: Fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue (tiredness). Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea (though this is more common in children than adults).
Highest Risk Groups:
You are at high risk for severe illness from the flu if you are 65 years and older and/or have certain medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, asthma, a weakened immune system, or a disease affecting your heart, lungs, or kidneys.
Prevention:
The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu vaccine each year.
Why Vaccinate?
Vaccinating against the flu can help keep you from getting sick. Even if you do get sick after getting vaccinated, your symptoms will likely be mild. Vaccines are also a safer, more dependable way to build immunity than catching a virus to build immunity. The flu vaccine is recommended annually, as the formula changes to provide better protection against the virus strains circulating in your community.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: About Influenza | Influenza (Flu) | CDC
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
What is it?
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, all of which are highly contagious viral diseases.
What does it do?
The vaccine helps prevent these three diseases, which can cause severe complications like pneumonia, hearing loss, and birth defects.
How does it spread?
Measles, mumps, and rubella spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Signs/Symptoms:
Measles causes a rash, cough, fever, and runny nose; mumps causes swelling of the salivary glands; rubella causes a mild rash, fever, and joint pain.
Highest Risk Groups:
Adults born after 1957 who have not been vaccinated or who have never had the diseases.
Prevention:
The MMR vaccine is given in two doses, typically during childhood, but adults who are not immune may need it as well.
Why Vaccinate?
These diseases can cause serious health issues, including complications that affect the nervous system, fertility, and pregnancy.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccination | CDC
Meningococcal Vaccines
What is it?
Meningococcal vaccines protect against meningococcal disease, which is caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.
What does it do?
The vaccine helps prevent meningococcal infections, which can lead to meningitis and bloodstream infections.
How does it spread?
Meningococcal bacteria spread through respiratory droplets, typically through close contact with an infected person.
Signs/Symptoms:
Symptoms include sudden fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, and sensitivity to light.
Highest Risk Groups:
Adolescents, young adults (especially those in group settings like dormitories), and individuals with certain medical conditions.
Prevention:
Meningococcal vaccines are given in 2 doses: one at age 11-12 and a booster at age 16.
Why Vaccinate?
Meningococcal disease can cause severe complications, including death and long-term disabilities. Vaccination helps prevent these outcomes.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: Meningococcal Vaccination | Meningococcal | CDC
Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV) Vaccine
What is it?
The PCV vaccine protects against pneumococcal disease, caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.
What does it do?
The vaccine helps prevent serious pneumococcal infections by building immunity to different serotypes (strains) of the pneumococcal bacteria. The number at the end of the vaccine name tells how many serotypes the vaccine includes.
How does it spread?
Pneumococcal bacteria spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Signs/Symptoms:
Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, difficulty breathing, and meningitis or bloodstream infections in severe cases.
Highest Risk Groups:
Infants, children younger than 5, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Prevention:
Vaccination is given in 4 doses, starting at 2 months of age.
Why Vaccinate?
Pneumococcal infections can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia and meningitis. Vaccination reduces the risk of these life-threatening conditions.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: Pneumococcal Vaccination | Pneumococcal | CDC
Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine
What is it?
The varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox, a contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
What does it do?
It helps prevent chickenpox and its complications, including severe skin infections, pneumonia, and encephalitis.
How does it spread?
Chickenpox spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with the rash.
Signs/Symptoms:
Symptoms include an itchy rash with red spots and blisters, fever, and fatigue.
Highest Risk Groups:
Adults who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine are at increased risk of severe disease.
Prevention:
Adults who have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated should receive the varicella vaccine in two doses.
Why Vaccinate?
Chickenpox can lead to severe complications in adults, including pneumonia and hospitalization. Vaccination is the best prevention.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: Chickenpox Vaccination | Chickenpox (Varicella) | CDC
Federally Recommended Vaccines
COVID-19
What is it?
COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
What does it do?
The COVID-19 virus can cause mild to severe respiratory illness.
How does it spread?
COVID-19 virus spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Droplets or tiny particles called aerosols carry the virus into the air from their nose or mouth. Anyone who is within 6 feet of that person can breathe it into their lungs.
Signs/Symptoms:
People who have COVID-19 often feel some or all these signs and symptoms: Fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches and heavy arms or legs, severe fatigue or tiredness, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, headache, sore eyes, dizziness, new and persistent cough, tight chest or chest pain, shortness of breath, hoarse voice, numbness or tingling, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea, loss or change of sense of taste or smell, and difficulty sleeping.
Highest Risk Groups:
You are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 if you are 65 years or older and/or have certain medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, asthma, a weakened immune system, or a disease affecting your heart, lungs, or kidneys.
Prevention:
The first and most important step in preventing COVID-19 is to get a COVID-19 vaccine each year.
Why Vaccinate?
COVID-19 vaccines provide strong protection against severe illness and death. Although a person can still get COVID-19 after vaccination, they are more likely to have mild or no symptoms. Vaccines are also a safer, more dependable way to build immunity than catching a virus to build immunity. The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended annually, as the formula changes to provide better protection against the virus strains circulating in your community.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) | CDC
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
What is it?
The HPV vaccine protects against the human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical, anal, throat, and other cancers.
What does it do?
It helps prevent infections of the types of HPV that are most likely to cause cancer and genital warts.
How does it spread?
HPV spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact, most often through sexual activity.
Signs/Symptoms:
Most HPV infections have no symptoms, but persistent infections with certain strains can lead to cancer or genital warts.
Highest Risk Groups:
HPV vaccination is recommended for males and females, ideally starting at age 11 or 12, but adults under 26 who have not been vaccinated should still receive the vaccine.
Prevention:
The HPV vaccine is given in a series of two or three doses, depending on age.
Why Vaccinate?
HPV is the leading cause of cervical and other cancers. Vaccination can prevent most of these cancers and related diseases.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: HPV Vaccination Recommendations | CDC
Meningococcal B (MenB) Vaccine
What is it?
The MenB vaccine protects against meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B.
What does it do?
The vaccine helps prevent infections from this specific strain of meningococcal bacteria, which can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections.
How does it spread?
Meningococcal B bacteria spread through respiratory droplets from an infected person.
Signs/Symptoms:
Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, and sensitivity to light.
Highest Risk Groups:
Adolescents and young adults (especially those in college dormitories) and individuals with certain medical conditions.
Prevention:
The MenB vaccine is given in 2-3 doses, starting at age 16-18 years (or at age 10 for those at increased risk).
Why Vaccinate?
Meningococcal B can lead to life-threatening infections and long-term complications. Vaccination is key to preventing these severe outcomes.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: Meningococcal Vaccine Recommendations | Meningococcal | CDC
Rotavirus (RV) Vaccine
What is it?
The Rotavirus vaccine protects against rotavirus, a leading cause of severe diarrhea and vomiting in young children.
What does it do?
The vaccine helps prevent severe diarrhea and dehydration caused by rotavirus infection.
How does it spread?
Rotavirus spreads through the fecal-oral route, typically through contaminated food, water, or hands.
Signs/Symptoms:
Symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration, which can be life-threatening in young children.
Highest Risk Groups:
Infants and young children, particularly those under the age of 5.
Prevention:
Vaccination is given in 2-3 doses, depending on the brand, starting at 2 months of age.
Why Vaccinate?
Rotavirus infections can lead to severe dehydration and hospitalization. Vaccination reduces the incidence of severe infections and complications.
For More Information:
Check the CDC website: Rotavirus Vaccination | Rotavirus | CDC
RSV
What is it?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that is prevalent during the months of November through April.
What does it do?
RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.
How does it spread?
RSV spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes or has direct contact with others. People can also contract the illness by touching a contaminated surface.
Signs/Symptoms:
People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include: runny nose, congestion, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In very young infants with RSV, their only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.
Highest Risk Groups:
Infants (younger than 6 months of age), older adults (65 and older), and/or adults who have certain medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, asthma, a weakened immune system, or a disease affecting your heart, lungs, or kidneys are more likely to develop severe RSV illness and possibly need hospitalization. In pregnant women, RSV can be passed to the fetus and increase the risk of complications.
Prevention:
The first and most important step in preventing RSV is to get vaccinated.
Why Vaccinate?
Vaccinating against RSV provides protection from severe respiratory illness and possible hospitalization. RSV vaccines are recommended for all adults ages 75 and older and for adults ages 60 – 74 who are at increased risk for severe RSV. There are two immunizations recommended to protect infants from severe RSV: a maternal RSV vaccine (Pfizer’s Abrysvo) given during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy, or an RSV antibody vaccine to be given to infants born during RSV season after birth.