The United States recommends a number of vaccines in childhood for a variety of reasons including:

• Protecting against diseases
• Strengthening babies and children’s immune systems
• Preventing the spread of extremely infectious diseases

In order for children to attend school in Alaska, they are required to have the following vaccinations:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTap/Tdap)
• Polio
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella (through 6^th grade), also called Chicken pox
• Hib (under 5 years old, influenza)

Each vaccine has different dosing requirements and schedules, so it is important to visit the CDC or other healthcare website, or your local physician/pediatrician to learn more about timing and dosing for childhood vaccinations. Childhood vaccines are safe and highly effective for combating illness in children and babies, and have a long standing history of positive effects. Side effects may occur from several of the vaccines, but they are generally mild, such as sore arm or tiredness.