Vaccines are one of the safest and best ways to protect children from getting very sick. At UCHealth, we strongly recommend childhood vaccines based on information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and infectious disease experts.

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommended child and adolescent immunization schedule for 2026 can be found here. The CDPHE and UCHealth support this guidance and encourage families to keep children up to date on vaccines.

We know this can feel confusing for many parents. With so much information available, it can be hard to know who to trust. Our goal is to share clear information based on medical research so you can make confident decisions for your child. 

Learn more about vaccines and how they protect people and save lives.

Why childhood vaccines matter: How vaccines protect your child and your community.

Vaccines help protect children from diseases that can cause:

• Serious illness
• Hospital stays
• Long-term health problems
• Death

Diseases like measles, whooping cough, meningitis and polio still exist. Many of these diseases are rare today because vaccine rates are high. When fewer people get vaccines, these diseases can return quickly.

Vaccinating your child also helps protect:

• Babies who are too young for vaccines
• People with weakened immune systems
• Older adults

This shared protection is called community immunity.

Are childhood vaccines safe?

Yes. Childhood vaccines are very safe. They are:

• Carefully tested before they are approved.
• Closely watched for safety after they are approved.
• Used safely in millions of children worldwide.

Most side effects are mild and don’t last long, such as a sore arm, low-grade fever or feeling tired for a short time. Serious side effects are very rare. For most children, the risks from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines are much greater than the risks from the vaccines.  

Why vaccines are still needed when diseases are rare.

Diseases become rare because vaccines are working.

When vaccination rates drop, outbreaks of serious diseases can return. This can lead to:

• More hospital stays.
• More long-term health problems.
• More deaths, mainly among babies, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Vaccines help prevent these diseases from coming back and help keep communities healthier.

Common myths and facts about childhood vaccines:

Myth: Do vaccines cause autism?
Fact: Large studies with millions of children show no link between vaccines and autism. Research shows autism starts before birth.

Myth: Do kids get too many vaccines?
Fact: Today’s vaccines are more targeted and place less demand on the immune system than vaccines used decades ago.

Myth: Is natural infection better than vaccination?
Fact: Some diseases can make children very sick, lead to hospital stays, long-term health problems or even death. Vaccines help prevent these diseases and protect children with very little risk.

Myth: Do doctors get paid to vaccinate?
Fact: Doctors do not get payments from vaccine companies. In many cases, clinics barely cover the cost of providing vaccines.

What happens if my vaccinated child still gets sick?

No vaccine works 100 percent of the time. But if a child who gets vaccines does get sick, they usually: 

• Get much less sick
• Are much less likely to be in the hospital
• Recover more quickly

Vaccines greatly lower the risk of severe disease and other problems.

Talk with your child’s care team.

We know that parents may have questions or concerns, especially when information feels overwhelming. Your child’s care team is here to listen, answer questions, and give you clear, science-based information.