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 person’s immune system and provide protection before exposure to potentially life-threatening diseases. Certain vaccines are recommended at different ages for two primary reasons:
Click here for the 2024 recommended vaccines for children 7 years of age through 18. Vaccines are safe and effective and side effects are minor. For example, a sore arm or low-grade fever that goes away within a few days.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) develops recommendations for U.S. immunizations based on extensive research and evidence. The recommendations include ages when vaccines should be given, number of doses, time between doses, and precautions and contraindications.
| Students admitted at transitional kindergarten and grades K-12 need: | |
|---|---|
| Vaccine Type | Dosage Information |
| Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, Tdap, or Td) | 5 doses (4 doses OK if one was given on or after 5th birthday. 3 doses OK if one was given on or after 7th birthday.) *For 7th-12th graders, at least 1 dose of pertussis-containing vaccine is required on or after 7th birthday. |
| Polio (OPV or IPV) | 4 doses (3 doses OK if one was given on or after 4th birthday) |
| Hepatitis B | 3 doses (not required for 7th grade entry) |
| Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) | 2 doses (both given on or after 1st birthday) |
| Varicella (Chickenpox) | 2 doses |
| Students starting 7th grade need: | |
| Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) | 1 dose (whooping cough booster usually given at 11 years and up) |
| Varicella (Chickenpox) | 2 doses (usually given at ages 12 months and 4-6 years) |
Colleges and Universities have immunization requirements, which may vary by state and academic institution. Visit the resources below to learn more about California University requirements or visit CDC's SchoolVaxView for other state requirements.
There are many places where your child or teen can get vaccinated. Most insurance policies cover recommended vaccines and there are resources available to help cover the cost if you are uninsured.
If you have insurance:
If you don't have insurance or are underinsured:
For a list of free and low-cost vaccine clinic locations in Los Angeles County, click here.
To locate COVID-19, Flu, and Mpox vaccines, visit ph.lacounty.gov/vaccines.
If you are using a mobile device, click here to access the vaccine finder tool.
VaxTeensLA is a social media toolkit that aims to promote vaccine confidence for youth and their families in Los Angeles County. The goal of the toolkit is to provide social media assets that can be used by youth leaders and community partners.
The content of the social media toolkit, available in multiple languages, includes clear and accessible information about vaccines and the diseases they protect against to help youth and their families make informed decisions about their health. Topics covered in this social media toolkit include what are vaccines, why vaccines are important, common myths and misinformation, and an overview of each of the recommended vaccines for adolescents. It also includes information about each corresponding vaccine preventable disease, disease transmission and common symptoms. Finally, the toolkit encourages the target audience to take action by speaking with their healthcare provider about the vaccines that are recommended for them.
Note: For instructions and to download the toolkit in multiple languages, please see the tab below titled: Download the Toolkit & Instructions.
Caption:
Vaccines are safe and protect you from vaccine preventable diseases. Stay healthy so you don’t miss out on any fun! To find a free or low-cost vaccine clinic, visit ph.lacounty.gov/clinics #VaxTeensLA #StayHealthy #VaccinesSaveLives #GetVaccinated
Caption:
As a teen, it's the perfect time to catch up on any vaccines you might have missed when you were younger. Staying up to date with your vaccinations is important for your health. Talk to your healthcare provider about receiving these recommended vaccines:
#VaxTeensLA #StayHealthy #VaccinesSaveLives #GetVaccinated
Caption:
Did you get your updated COVID-19 vaccine? COVID-19 vaccines are updated to protect you from the variants that are currently spreading. Get the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine to stay safe and protect yourself from getting really sick. Visit ph.lacounty.gov/COVID19Vaccine to learn more. #VaxTeensLA #StayHealthy #VaccinesSaveLives #GetVaccinated
Caption:
Don’t forget to get your annual flu vaccine! It’s the best way to stay safe and healthy during the fall and winter respiratory virus season. Stay protected and keep the fun going! Visit https://shorturl.at/vlzE1 to learn more. #VaxTeensLA #StayHealthy #VaccinesSaveLives #GetVaccinated
Caption:
HPV (human papillomavirus) is a virus that can cause cancer later in life. Most people will come into contact with HPV at some point in their lives, but getting the HPV vaccine can help protect you against cancers cause by HPV (cervical, oropharyngeal and others!). Take charge of your future and get the HPV vaccine! You can start getting the vaccine at age 9.
CDC recommends that all teens receive 2 doses of HPV vaccine by age 12. Speak to your healthcare provider for more information. Don’t wait, protect yourself now! Visit https://shorturl.at/D8Axa to learn more. #VaxTeensLA #StayHealthy #VaccinesSaveLives #GetVaccinated
Caption:
Teens and young adults can get the MenB vaccine to prevent meningococcal disease. This vaccine may be required on some college campuses. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about the benefits. Visit ph.lacounty.gov/MeningVaccine to learn more. #VaxTeensLA #StayHealthy #VaccinesSaveLives #GetVaccinated
Caption:
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a serious and contagious respiratory illness. Tdap vaccine keeps you safe from whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus. Get it between ages 11-12 and every 10 years after to stay protected. Visit ph.lacounty.gov/pertussis to learn more. #VaxTeensLA #StayHealthy #VaccinesSaveLives #GetVaccinated
Caption:
Heading off to college? Don’t forget to get your vaccines before you go! Review this check list: https://shorturl.at/OgOpu. Some vaccines might be required, so it’s important to be up to date. Stay healthy and enjoy all the fun and learning ahead! #VaxTeensLA #StayHealthy #VaccinesSaveLives #GetVaccinated
Caption:
Don’t let myths or misinformation about vaccines get in the way of your health! Stay informed by following these tips: always check the source, educate yourself, and if you have any questions, speak to your healthcare provider. Visit https://shorturl.at/wUgej to learn more. #VaxTeensLA #StayHealthy #VaccinesSaveLives #GetVaccinated
The social media posts are provided in a suggested order with captions included. However, your team can adjust the order or only use select images and customize the captions as needed for your audience. We encourage the use of the hashtag #VaxTeensLA for each post. You may also choose to align these posts with relevant national awareness campaigns throughout the year, such as HPV Awareness Week (January), Adolescent Immunization Action Week (April), or National Immunization Awareness Month (August).
If your team would like to redesign the toolkit, please email LACIPInfo@ph.lacounty.gov to request permission. Our team can provide a word copy of the content and additional guidelines.
Below are links to the social media posts available in each language. To download the entire toolkit, click here.
To extract copies of the images from the PDF links above, you can either:
It is important to keep your child’s vaccination records up to date and in a safe place. Without documentation, 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.
There are a few places where you can find your child's immunization record:
For more information, visit the CDC Keeping Track of Records webpage.
Note: PDF documents on this site were created using Adobe Acrobat 5.0 or later. Document functionality may be reduced if you are using an earlier version (4.x or less). Get the latest version of Adobe Acrobat.
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.
