Public Health Dayton & Montgomery County Dayton Children's Hospital

Vaccines Protect Kids

Vaccines for kids have been one of the most important advancements in public health, greatly reducing the amount of disease and saving many lives.

How Vaccines Protect Kids
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Boy with glasses showing vaccination muscle

Benefits of Vaccinations

Childhood vaccinations have been one of the most significant advancements in public health, dramatically reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases and saving countless lives. There are many reasons why vaccinating children is crucial for their health, and the health of the community:

Vaccines Protect Kids

  1. Protection Against Severe Diseases

    Vaccinations protect children from potentially severe diseases such as measles, mumps, and whooping cough. Diseases that were once common and often fatal have become rare due to widespread vaccination efforts. For instance, the measles vaccine has led to a dramatic decrease in measles cases worldwide, protecting children from severe complications like pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death.

  2. Long-Term Health Benefits

    Vaccines not only protect against immediate threats but also contribute to long-term health benefits. For example, the HPV vaccine protects against human papillomavirus, which is linked to several cancers. By preventing these infections, vaccines help reduce the incidence of cancer and related health issues later in life.

  3. Prevention of Disease Outbreaks

    When a large percentage of the population is vaccinated, it creates herd immunity. This communal protection prevents the spread of diseases, effectively reducing the likelihood of outbreaks. For diseases like polio, high vaccination rates have brought us close to eradicating them completely. Herd immunity protects those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants or individuals with compromised immune systems.

  4. Promotion of Healthy Development

    Childhood vaccinations support healthy development by preventing diseases that can cause serious complications. Diseases like chickenpox can lead to complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation, which can hinder a child's growth and development. Vaccinations ensure that children stay healthy, allowing them to grow and thrive without the interruptions caused by severe illness.

  5. Reduction in Healthcare Visits and Cost

    Vaccinations are a cost-effective public health measure. By preventing diseases, they reduce the need for medical treatments and hospitalizations. For instance, the cost of a vaccine is far less than the expense of treating diseases such as pneumococcal infections or hepatitis B. Staying up to day with vaccines saves families money in the long run.
Girl Showing Bandaid from vaccination

What vaccinations does my child need for school?

Ohio children should be up to date on certain vaccines to enter kindergarten, 7th grade and 12th grade:

  • Kindergarteners: Must have complete immunizations for:
    • DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis),
    • polio,
    • hepatitis B,
    • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
    • varicella (chickenpox)
  • 7th graders: Must have:
    • A Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) booster
    • A meningitis ACWY vaccine
  • 12th graders: Must have proof of:
    • A Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) booster
    • A meningitis booster vaccine
Teen Girl with Glasses Giving Thumbs up

Where to get Vaccinated

Your doctor’s office If you have a doctor who you see regularly, you can schedule an appointment to talk about vaccines you and your family may need — and to get vaccinated.

Public Health Clinic Call to (937) 225-4550 to schedule an appointment

Pharmacies Many local pharmacies offer most recommended vaccines for adults, as well as some travel vaccines. If you plan on getting vaccinated at a pharmacy, consider calling ahead.

Find a Primary Care Physician

Find a Health Care Center

Federally funded health centers provide a variety of health care services, including vaccination. You can go to a health center even if you don’t have health insurance — and some may offer sliding fees based on your income.

Use the Health Center Finder to find a list of health centers near you.

Find a Health Care Center
MMR Vaccine 5ml

Vaccine Safety

Vaccination is very safe and effective. Vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals. Vaccines will involve some discomfort and may cause pain, redness, or tenderness at the site of injection, but this is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort, and trauma of the diseases these vaccines prevent. Serious side effects following vaccination, such as severe allergic reaction, are very rare. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children.

Kid Vaccination

Need help with payment?

Public Health, and other area health departments, provide vaccination services on a sliding fee scale. No one will be turned away based on their ability to pay. Call us, to see if you qualify for payment assistance. If you are receiving a vaccination from your family doctor, ask about these payment options.

Who Is Eligible For The Program?

Children ages 18 years or younger who meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • Uninsured,
  • Medicaid-eligible,
  • Medicaid-enrolled,
  • American Indian or Alaska, or
  • Underinsured

Underinsured means that your child has health insurance, but the insurance policy does not cover the cost or the vaccine.

Childhood Financial Assistance

Call (937) 225-4550 for information about financial assistance for childhood vaccinations.

  • WCO Region Childhood Vaccination
  • Vaccination Records
  • School Resources
  • Resources
  • Hojas Informativas
  • Get Help Paying for Your Vaccines(Tranlated in 30 Languages)
  1. Vaccines for Children (VFC) Information Share with families explaining the criteria for qualifying for VFC vaccines.  Additional information is available online for families at
  2. Reliable Sources for Immunization Information This information is useful to help families locate reputable sources of information and can also be found online at

The Guide on Paying for Your Vaccines has been translated into 30 languages provided by Vaccinate Your Family and their partners at Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum.

Click on each link below for a downloadable, printable file, in the language you want to view.