Vaccines for All Ages and Stages of Life
The County of San Diego is committed to ensuring residents continue to have access to safe and effective vaccines that are based on credible, transparent, and science-based evidence. In alignment with the West Coast Health Alliance and other leading medical, health, and patient advocacy groups, we follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.
Along with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and West Coast Health Alliance, the County of San Diego bases recommendations for vaccines on guidelines from trusted medical professional organizations.
Everyone should get the recommended vaccines at the recommended times because our immune systems change over time. Vaccines help people stay healthy at every age and stage of life:
Vaccines protect both you and your baby before, during, and after
pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about recommended vaccines.
Before Pregnancy
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Flu (influenza)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Hepatitis
- COVID-19
During Pregnancy
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough)
- Flu
- COVID-19
- RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
Resources
- Immunizations for a Healthy Pregnancy (CDPH)
- Vaccine Safety During Pregnancy (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
Infants and toddlers are at higher risk of getting very sick from vaccine-preventable diseases because their immune system has not yet fully developed.
-
Birth
- Hepatitis B
- RSV (if prenatal vaccine was not received)
-
2 Months
- DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis/whooping cough)
- Polio
- PCV (Pneumococcal)
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
- Rotavirus
- Hepatitis B
- RSV (if not already given)
-
4 Months
- DTaP
- Hepatitis B
- Polio
- PCV
- Hib
- Rotavirus
- RSV (if not already given)
-
6 Months
- DTaP
- Polio
- PCV
- Hib
- Rotavirus
- Hepatitis B
- COVID-19
- Flu
- RSV (if not already given)
-
7-11 Months
- COVID-19
- Flu
- RSV (if not already given)
-
12 Months
- Hepatitis A
- MMR
- PCV
- Hib
- Varicella
- COVID-19
- Flu
- RSV (for infants 8-19 months at high-risk if not already given)
-
15 Months
- DTaP
- COVID-19
- Flu
- RSV (for infants 8-19 months at high-risk if not already given)
-
18 Months
- Hepatitis A
- COVID-19
- Flu
- RSV (for infants 8-19 months at high-risk if not already given)
-
4-6 Years
- Polio
- DTaP
- MMR
- Varicella
- COVID-19
- Flu
Resources
- Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for Ages 18 Years or Younger (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- What You Need to Know About Vaccines (County of San Diego)
- What Shot Does My Baby Need and When (CDPH)
- Your Child’s Vaccines (KidsHealth)
As children and teens get older, they may need to boost their immune system to keep them protected, or get additional vaccines based their age and new stages of life. Vaccines keep children and teens healthy and ready for school and activities.
- Human Papillomavirus HPV)
- Tdap
- Meningococcal ACWY
- Flu (every year)
- COVID-19
Resources
- Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for Ages 18 Years or Younger (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- What You Need to Know About Vaccines (County of San Diego)
- What Shots Does my Preteen or Teen Need? (CDPH)
All children in California must be fully immunized before entering childcare, preschool, transitional kindergarten (TK), or K-12.
-
Childcare
- 2-3 Months: Polio, DTaP, Hepatitis B, Hib
- 4-5 Months: Polio, DTaP, Hepatitis B, Hib6-14 Months: Polio, DTaP, Hepatitis B, Hib
- 15-17 Months: Polio, DTaP, Hepatitis B, Varicella
- On or after 1st birthday: Hib, MMR
- 18 Months through 5 Years: Polio, DTaP, Hepatitis B, Varicella
-
TK/K-12
- DTaP, DTP, Tdap, or TD
- Polio
- Hepatitis B
- MMR
- Varicella
-
7th Grade
- Tdap
Vaccines protect you and those around you from serious illness. Staying up to date is key for long-term health.
-
Every Year
- COVID-19
- Flu
-
Every 10 Years
- Tdap
-
19-64 Years
- MMR (if born in 1957 or later)
- Varicella (if born in 1980 or later)
- Shingles (starting at 50 years of age)
- HPV (depending on age at initial vaccination or condition)
- Pneumococcal (if adults meets age requirements, lacks documentation of vaccination, or lacks evidence of past infection)
- Hepatitis B (19-59 years)
- Polio (if incompletely vaccinated)
- Other immunizations recommended by your doctor
Resources
- 5 Reasons It Is Important for Adults to Get Vaccinated (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Me and My Family (CDPH)
- Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule (American Academy of Family Physicians)
As we age, our immune system weakens. Older adults are at higher risk of getting very sick from vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines help prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and complications
-
Every Year
- COVID-19
- Flu
-
Every 10 Years
- Tdap
-
75+ Years
- RSV
If an adult meets the age requirement, doesn’t have vaccination records, or cannot show proof of past infection.
- Pneumococcal
- Polio
- Other immunizations recommended by your doctor
Resources
- Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule (American Academy of Family Physicians)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulations require that all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers receive a medical exam.
This requires proof of certain vaccines, including:
- Hib
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Measles
- Meningococcal disease
- Mumps
- Pertussis
- Pneumococcal disease
- Polio
- Rotavirus
- Rubella
- FluTdap
- Varicella
Resources
- About Immigrant and Refugee Health (CDC)
- Getting Your Vaccines (County of San Diego)
- Information for Immigrants (Covered California)
- Office of Refugee Health (CDPH)
- Refugee Health Program (County of San Diego)
- Vaccination Requirements (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
For more information or to request
materials,
contact the San Diego Immunization Unit via e-mail or call us at (866) 358-2966.
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