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Vaccines at 4 to 6 Years						Español (Spanish)							Print
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										Elementary kids

Vaccinations are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages.


CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older. If your child has not gotten vaccinated yet, talk to his or her doctor about getting it as soon as possible.Vaccines your child should get
Growing up means more school days and playdates, which also means more opportunities for spreading germs and getting sick. As your child enters school age and interacts with more kids, help protect them from diseases by staying up to date on vaccinations.
At 4-6 years of age, your child should receive vaccines to protect them from the following diseases:Chickenpox (Varicella)
	**2nd dose of 2**
Chickenpox is a very contagious disease known for its itchy, blister-like rash and a fever. Chickenpox is a mild disease for many, but can be serious, even life-threatening, especially in babies, teenagers, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
**See Related:** Chickenpox vaccinationDiphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
	**5th dose of 5**
A DTaP vaccine is the best protection from three serious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis). All three of these diseases can be deadly for people of any age, and whooping cough is especially dangerous for babies.
**See Related:** DTaP vaccinationInfluenza (Flu)
	Yearly
Flu is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Flu spreads easily and can cause serious illness, especially in children younger than 5 years and children of any age with certain chronic conditions including asthma. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year ideally by the end of October.
**See Related:**Flu vaccinationMeasles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
	**2nd dose of 2**
The MMR vaccine helps prevent three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). These diseases are contagious and can be serious.
**See Related:** MMR vaccinationPolio (IPV)
	**4th dose of 4**
Polio is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by poliovirus, which can infect the spinal cord and cause paralysis. It most often sickens children younger than 5 years old. Polio was eliminated in the United States with vaccination, and continued use of polio vaccine has kept this country polio-free.
**See Related:** Polio vaccinationCare for your child after vaccinations
**Call 911** if you think your child might be having a severe **allergic reaction** after leaving the vaccination site.
Give your child extra care and attention
Pay extra attention to your child for a few days. If you see something that concerns you, call your child’s doctor.Read the Vaccine Information Sheet(s) your child’s doctor gave you to learn about side effects your child may experience.Treat mild reactions
Sometimes children have mild reactions from vaccines, such as pain at the injection site or a rash. These reactions, also called side effects, are normal and will soon go away.
Use a cool, damp cloth to help reduce redness, soreness, and/or swelling at the injection site.
Reduce fever with a cool sponge bath.
Ask your child’s doctor if you can give your child a non-aspirin pain reliever.
Vaccines before school
Your child will typically need a certificate of immunization to enroll in school. Your state may also require children entering school to be vaccinated against certain diseases, such as whooping cough (pertussis). If you’re unsure of your state’s school immunization requirements, check with your child’s doctor, your child’s school, or your state’s health department.
Your doctor’s office or healthcare clinic should be able to give you a record of your child’s immunizations. You can also ask if your doctor has recorded the vaccines your child has received in your state’s immunization registry.
What vaccines does my child need?Follow the vaccine scheduleSee which vaccines your child needs to stay on-track with routine vaccinations.
Birth to 6 years
7 to 18 yearsGet a personalized listTake a short quiz to get a list of vaccines your child may need based on their age, health conditions, and other factors.
Child vaccine quizMore InformationTravel and Vaccines
How to Hold Your Child During a Vaccination
Make Shots Less Stressful
Keeping Track of Vaccine Records
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program
How Vaccines Prevent Diseases
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  July 10, 2023						Source: 	National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
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