Keeping your children healthy is your top priority as a parent, but keeping track of their immunization schedule can feel overwhelming. With so many different shots recommended at various ages, it is completely normal to have questions about what they need and when.
At Northeast Pediatric Associates PA, Dr. Elizabeth B Hagee, M.D., and our team of pediatric experts are here to guide you through every milestone. We provide comprehensive pediatric care, including routine vaccines, at our offices in San Antonio, Schertz, Castroville, and Spring Branch, Texas.
Immunizations are one of the most effective ways to protect your child from serious, life-threatening diseases. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, 2025), routine childhood vaccinations for Americans born over the last three decades will prevent an estimated 508 million lifetime illnesses and more than one million deaths.
Children need different vaccines at specific stages of their growth to build strong, lasting immunity. The schedule is carefully timed to protect them when they are most vulnerable to specific infections.
During infancy, babies receive several initial doses to protect against diseases such as pertussis, or whooping cough, and hepatitis. As they grow into toddlers, they receive booster doses, which are extra vaccine doses given to maintain immunity over time, as well as their first measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Before starting kindergarten, children need additional boosters to prepare them for school environments. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2024), national vaccination coverage for kindergarteners has recently decreased, dropping to 92.4% for the MMR vaccine, highlighting the importance of staying on schedule. Finally, preteens and teens need vaccines to protect against meningitis, human papillomavirus (HPV), and tetanus.
Some parents wonder if it is better to space out vaccines or let their children build natural immunity by getting sick. However, the Mayo Clinic (2026) explains that preventing illness through vaccination is much safer because natural infections carry severe, lasting risks such as brain damage, hearing loss, or even death.
Staying on track is easy when you pair immunizations with routine well-child visits. These regular check-ups allow us to monitor your child's growth, answer your questions, and ensure they are fully protected before school starts.
We are committed to partnering with you to keep your family healthy and safe. If you have questions about your child's immunization status or need to catch up on missed doses, please contact our office to schedule an appointment today.
