Doctor giving vaccine to a small boy sitting in his mother's lap

Childhood Vaccination & Immunization

Routine vaccinations are one of the most important parts of pediatric care. They are the safest way to protect children and teens from diseases such as:

Vaccines help your child develop immunity.

Vaccination is the process of giving a person very small amounts of viruses or bacteria without causing them to get sick. Immunization is the result of vaccination. Vaccines help the immune system know and remember different diseases so that it can stop them from causing illness or death in the future.

Why is childhood immunization so important?

Children who are not vaccinated are more likely to get serious diseases like measles and whooping cough. These diseases are extremely contagious, especially for babies and young children. In recent years, there have been outbreaks of these diseases, especially in communities with low vaccination rates. Children who are fully-vaccinated also support the health of our communities by protecting other people who are too young or sick to get vaccinated.

Many children missed check-ups and recommended childhood vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Talk to your child's doctor today about scheduling their next well-child visit and catching up on recommended vaccinations. View our directory of pediatricians.

HPV vaccination is cancer prevention

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection that can affect anyone. Almost 35,000 people in the US are diagnosed with a cancer caused by HPV each year. Thankfully, the HPV vaccine is estimated to prevent 90% of HPV-related cancers.

Vaccines and Your Baby

MaineHealth pediatrician Dr. Gabriel Civiello, reviews what to expect at your baby's well-child visits.

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