Public Health Home
Vaccine Preventable Disease Control
County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Health
Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program
3530 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: (213) 351-7800
Email: ip@ph.lacounty.gov
Vaccines strengthen a child’s immune system and provide protection before a child is exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.
Certain vaccines are recommended at different ages for two primary reasons:
Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages. Talk with your child's healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns.
LACDPH is aligned with the California Department of Public Health immunization recommendations which are informed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP develops childhood vaccine recommendations based on extensive research and evidence and strongly recommends on-time routine immunization of all children and adolescents according to the recommended schedule.
Click here for the California Department of Public Health 2026 recommended vaccines for infants and children from birth through 6 years.
Children living with chronic diseases such as diabetes or asthma, and those who are immunocompromised, may have more difficulty protecting themselves again certain diseases, making vaccinations extremely important.
| Children in Pre-Kindergarten (Child Care) need: | |
|---|---|
| Age when admitted | Number of doses required of each immunization |
| 2 through 3 months | 1 Polio, 1 DTaP, 1 Hep B, 1 Hib |
| 4 through 5 months | 2 Polio, 2 DTaP, 2 Hep B, 2 Hib |
| 6 through 14 months | 2 Polio, 3 DTaP, 2 Hep B, 2 Hib |
| 15 through 17 months | 3 Polio, 3 DTaP, 2 Hep B, 1 Varicella On or after 1st birthday: 1 Hib*, 1 MMR |
| 18 months through 5 years | 3 Polio, 4 DTaP, 3 Hep B, 1 Varicella On or after 1st birthday: 1 Hib*, 1 MMR |
*One Hib dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday regardless of previous doses. Required only for children younger than 5 years old.
There are many places where your child can get vaccinated. California state law ensures Californians have insurance coverage for immunizations recommended by the California Department of Public Health at no cost.
If you have insurance:
If you don't have insurance or are underinsured:
Vaccine Finder Tool:
If you are using a mobile device, click here to access the vaccine finder tool.
It is important to keep your child’s vaccination records (the history of which vaccines they received) up to date and in a safe place. Without them, your child might not be allowed to attend school, play sports, or travel abroad. Your child may need their vaccination records later as adults for certain occupations.
If you are unsure of your child's vaccination status, you can request a copy of their records.
To request your child's record:
If their vaccines are not listed, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or vaccine provider for a copy of your vaccine records. You can also ask them to add your vaccines to the California Immunization Registry (CAIR).
Other tips to find vaccination records:
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Public Health has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translation. However, no computerized translation is perfect and is not intended to replace traditional translation methods. If questions arise concerning the accuracy of the information, please refer to the English edition of the website, which is the official version.
