Health Alert: It’s important to stay up-to-date on vaccines. If you skip vaccines, you leave yourself and others vulnerable to many diseases.
On September 4, 2025, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced measures to ensure that vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, remain available to Massachusetts residents. Importantly, insurance carriers in Massachusetts will continue to cover vaccines recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health based on the best available science.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines contain weakened or inactive parts of a germ that causes your body to create an immune response. When you get a vaccine, it helps your body fight off that specific disease, preventing serious illness.
Why get vaccinated?
Vaccines keep people healthy by strengthening the immune system. They are our best defense from many serious diseases and are very important for children, older people and people who are immune deficient.
Vaccines are safe!
Vaccines are tested extensively using a system that has been in place since the 1980's. Each vaccine goes through a rigorous scientific process that requires clinical studies, trials and reviews before receiving FDA approval.
- There is nothing "bad" in the vaccines. There are no preservatives, metals, tracking devices or pig products.
- Vaccines will not change your DNA or cause infertility.
- Herbal remedies and teas cannot protect you from these diseases, but the vaccines can.
- People with asthma and allergies should get vaccinated from respiratory illnesses.
Recommended Vaccines for Children (0-18)
CHA pediatric clinics follow CDC and Massachusetts immunization guidelines. Immunizations are the best way of preventing many serious childhood illnesses.
During the first ten years of life, it is recommended your child receives the following recommended vaccines, based on their age, to provide the best protection from serious illness:
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What vaccinations should my preteen and teenager receive?
Children aged 11-12 are recommended to receive the following vaccines:
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
- HPV vaccine
- Tdap
- Flu vaccine
Resources:
- Click here for the 2024 recommended immunizations for children from birth through 6 years old.
- Click here for the 2024 recommended immunizations for children 7-18 years old.
- Click here to learn more about these vaccines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Recommended Vaccines for Adults (19+)
As part of your annual wellness visit, you will want to make sure you are up to date with all of your vaccines. As you get older, your immunity from your childhood vaccines may wear off. You are also at risk for other diseases as an adult based on your age, health conditions and lifestyle.
What are the recommended vaccinations for adults?
- The seasonal flu shot
- The COVID-19 vaccine
- Hepititis B
- Tdap
- Zoster vaccine (shingles vaccine)
- Pneumococcal vaccines
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
Talk to your provider at your next annual wellness visit to make sure you are up to date on your recommended vaccines. Learn more about these vaccines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by clicking here.
Vaccines during pregnancy
Getting vaccinated during your pregnancy protects you and your baby against serious illnesses, especially during the first few months of your babies life. Getting recommended vaccinations while you are pregnant helps your body create protective antibodies (what is needed to fight off illnesses) that you can pass on to your baby. The CDC recommends the following 5 vaccines during pregnancy: Flu, Covid, Tdap, RSV, & HepB. Click here to learn more about the 5 recommended vaccines during pregnancy.
The COVID-19 vaccine has been found to be safe and effective for both mother and baby. If you are pregnant, you are more likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19 and are at a higher risk for complications. Therefore, it is now recommended for pregnant women to receive the COVID-19 vaccine during their pregnancy. We understand there are a lot of questions and hesitancy towards receiving the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant. To try to make your decision easier, we have created some videos for you that will hopefully answer your questions about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant. Click the links below to watch:
- Being pregnant and getting COVID vaccine
- Getting the COVID vaccination while pregnant
- What are the risks of getting vaccinated while pregnant?
- Do COVID vaccines cause infertility?
Routine vaccines are safe and recommended for breastfeeding mothers. It is important to stay up to date on your vaccinations to keep you and your new baby healthy. Talk to your provider today about getting vaccinated during your pregnancy.