About Vaccinations for Young Children (4 to 10 years)

Overview

Vaccines help provide protection against many diseases. They help the body to increase protective antibodies that fight off infections. With antibodies, young children may not develop illness from the infection or may not develop severe infection. There are many vaccines, also referred to as immunizations, that are given during young children.

Each year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviews and provides updated guidance on vaccine-preventable diseases. The vaccine-preventable diseases that apply to young children include:

  • COVID-19
  • Influenza (Flu)
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella
  • Poliovirus
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)

Here’s a summary of each disease and recommended vaccines. These are general recommendations. The available vaccines listed those included in the June 2024 CDC update. New vaccines may become available, updated or recommended. Check with your healthcare professional regarding the specific vaccines that are available and timing of vaccination for your child.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019)

  • COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. While infants and toddlers are less likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, some children may develop severe COVID-19 and require hospitalization. Children with weakened immune systems may be at higher risk of developing severe illness with COVID-19.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that vaccination for COVID-19 be determined by individual decision-making. ACIP’s recommendation applies to all individuals six months and older.

For 2025-2026, the FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for adults aged 65 years and older. The vaccines are also approved for younger individuals with risk factors for severe disease. There are currently four updated COVID-19 vaccines available for the 2025-26 season:

  • Moderna mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine (Spikevax)- 6 months through 64 years of age with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19
  • Moderna mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine (MNEXSPIKE)- 12 years through 64 years of age with at least one condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Novavax Protein Subunit COVID-19 Vaccine (Nuvaxovid) -12 years through 64 years of age with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.
  • Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine (Comirnaty)- 5 years through 64 years of age with at least one underlying condition that put them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19

Influenza (Flu)

  • Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by infection with influenza viruses, including influenza type a and influenza type B. These viruses cause the flu each year during “flu season”, generally October through May. The viruses may change each year, so new flu vaccines are created each year to be available starting around September.
  • Who should receive vaccine? All people 6 months old or older should receive the annual influenza vaccine each year, unless contraindicated (such as an allergic reaction to the flu shot).
  • What vaccines are available? There are many brands of flu shot available each year. Check with the doctor or pharmacist regarding whether a specific flu shot is recommended for your child.

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

  • Measles, mumps and rubella are very contagious (easily spread) diseases caused by viruses. Each condition causes a variety of symptoms and may lead to serious complications.
  • As of September 19, 2025, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that toddlers through age three be immunized for varicella by standalone vaccination administered at the same time as the MMR vaccine, rather than the combination measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine.
  • The CDC Immunization Safety Office reports that healthy 12–23 months old toddlers have increased risk of febrile seizure seven to 10 days after MMRV vaccination compared to those given separate immunization for varicella and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). According to the CDC, The MMRV vaccine doubles the risk of febrile seizures without conferring additional protection from varicella compared to standalone vaccination.

Poliovirus

Poliovirus has been eliminated in most parts of the world because of widespread vaccination. The virus may cause symptoms such as sore throat, fever, fatigue, nausea or headache. In most cases the symptoms go away on their own after a few days. In rare cases the virus can cause an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord called meningitis, or paralysis of the arms and legs that can be permanent. In the worst cases, poliovirus can cause death. The virus is very contagious and can be spread by infected people even if they don’t know they are sick. The virus enters the body through the mouth, either by coming in contact with contaminated food, toys or other objects, close contact with an infected person or eating or drinking food that are contaminated with the feces (poop) of an infected person. The best way to protect against infection by the poliovirus is vaccination.

Who should receive the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV)? The IPV is usually administered as a series of four shots at the following ages:

  • 2 and 4 months
  • 6-18 months
  • 4-6 years

What vaccines are available?

  • Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV): This is the only vaccine available in the United States.
  • Combination vaccines (Kinrix, Quadracel, Pentacel, Pediarix, VAXELIS): Several manufacturers supply different combinations of polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hemophilus influenza B and Hepatitis B vaccines that are approved for young children.

Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis

  • Tetanus is a disease caused by infection with the bacteria Clostridium tetani. Tetanus is a serious disease that causes lockjaw and can progress to seizures, difficult swallowing, involuntary muscle spasms, seizures, and difficulty breathing.
  • Diphtheria is a disease caused by a toxin is released by the Clostridium diphtheriae bacterium. The toxin can cause serious illness if it affects the respiratory system. The skin and other body parts can be affected. In the United States, this disease is almost always associated with international travel.
  • Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a very contagious respiratory illness caused by the Bordatella pertussis bacteria. It causes symptoms of a cold (runny nose, low-grade fever, and mild cough). The cough can progress to uncontrollable coughing fits. People with pertussis may make a high-pitched whoop sound when they inhale during these coughing fits. This may cause breathing problems. Contact a doctor immediately if struggling to breathe.
  • Who should receive vaccination against these diseases? Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis vaccines are usually given in combination as a series of six shots during infancy and childhood at the following ages:
    • 2, 4 and 6 months
    • 15-18 months
    • 4-6 years
    • 11-12 years
  • What vaccines are available?
    • Diphtheria, Tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP): Daptacel, Infanrix for infants and young children

Varicella (Chicken Pox)

  • Chicken pox is a very contagious (easily spread) disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes blister-like rash, itching, and fever. It usually causes mild illness. However, it can cause serious illness in infants and children who have weekended immune systems. Serious illness may require hospitalization.
  • Who should receive the Varicella vaccine? The Varicella vaccine is usually given as two shots during childhood at 12-15 months and 4-6 years of age.
  • What vaccines are available?
    • Varivax: This vaccine is approved for use in people 12 months or older.
    • ProQuad: This vaccine is a combination vaccine that also includes measles, mumps and rubella vaccines, and is approved for children 12 months to 12 years of age.
    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that toddlers through age three be immunized for varicella by standalone vaccination administered at the same time as the MMR vaccine, rather than the combination measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine.
    • The CDC Immunization Safety Office reports that healthy 12–23 months old toddlers have increased risk of febrile seizure seven to 10 days after MMRV vaccination compared to those given separate immunization for varicella and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). According to the CDC, the MMRV vaccine doubles the risk of febrile seizures without conferring additional protection from varicella compared to standalone vaccination.

What are the potential side effects of vaccines in young children?

Who should not receive vaccines?

What should I do if my child experiences severe or persistent symptoms after receiving a vaccine?