Immunizations and Preventive Care
Visit Your Doctor – Get Your Preventive Care and Shots
We visit the doctor when we are sick or hurt so that we can get better, but doctors can help us when we’re not sick, too. Doctors can help us find the early warning signs of health problems so that we can change our lifestyles or take medications that will keep us from getting sick – or worse. We also get immunizations (shots) that keep us from getting diseases that can cause wide-spread sickness in our communities.
Start from choosing either a child or adult schedule from the options listed here. The information will tell you what shots or screenings are due for yours or your child’s next check-up:
Preventive Health Guidelines
Learn about preventive health guidelines for:
- Baby and Toddler Check-Up Schedule
- Child and Adolescent Check-Up Schedule
- Preventive Health Guidelines for Adults – text-only (PDF)
- Preventive Health Guidelines for Children (PDF)
Lead Screenings
All children under the age of 2 are required to be tested for lead poisoning at least once. If your child has a higher risk of lead poisoning, then you should test every year. Talk to your doctor about getting tested.
- Lead Testing Information
Immunization Guidelines
- Catch-Up Schedule for Children Ages Birth Through 18 Years Old
- Schedule for Adults, Based on Health and Other Factors
- Schedule for Adults, Listed by Age Group and by Vaccine Type
- Schedule for Children Ages Birth Through 18 Years Old
Simple Immunization Guides
The CDC also offers some easy-to-read versions of these guides:
- Recommended Immunizations for Children (birth through 6 years) (PDF)
- Recommended Immunizations for Preteens and Teens (7-18 years) (PDF)
Please refer to the CDC Vaccine & Immunizations Health Care Professionals website for more resources, training, administration tolls and patient education.