The CDC provides easy-to-read vaccination schedules for children, teens and adults.

Depending on where you are traveling, you'll likely need to get some travel-related vaccines. Find the latest information from CDC based on your destination and make an appointment to get your travel shots 4-6 weeks before your trip so that you have enough time to build up immunity and get the best protection.

The CDC recommends you get the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy (between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy) to help protect yourself and your baby. This will protect your baby after birth (and before they are old enough to get the vaccine themselves) from life-threatening whooping cough. The flu shot is also recommended if you are pregnant during flu season (October through May).

Call us at (805) 781-5500 to request a record of any immunizations you received at the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department.  For vaccines received outside the Department, see tips for finding vaccine records.

For records of immunizations given in California from the late 1990’s to the present, consider checking the California Immunization Record (CAIR). While participation is still voluntary, your doctor may have reported your immunization to CAIR. Check with your provider or the Public Health Department if you have any questions.

If you try the above and still can't find your records, you will likely need to repeat some vaccines. Although this is time-consuming and inconvenient, it is not harmful to receive additional vaccine doses. For a few vaccines, blood tests can help determine if you’re already immune to certain diseases. Your healthcare provider can help you determine exactly what’s best for you.

The safety of vaccines is often a topic of media stories and blog postings. This attention may make you wonder, "How do we know our vaccines are safe?" In the United States, a number of safeguards are required by law to help ensure that the vaccines we receive are safe. Here are some important things to know about vaccine safety in the United States:

• The safety of vaccines is thoroughly studied before they are licensed for public use.
• There is a strong system in place to help scientists monitor the safety of vaccines.
• Like any medicine, vaccines can cause side effects. However, serious adverse events from vaccines are rare.
• Receiving combination vaccines or several different vaccines during one visit is very safe and offers the quickest protection again multiple diseases.

The CDC’s Vaccine Safety website answers common questions about vaccine safety.

California Law requires that children entering public or private school, including childcare, preschool, elementary, or secondary schools, receive required immunizations. Visit cdph.ca.gov/shotsforschool for information about the law and the immunization requirements.

Child care facilities and schools with low vaccination rates are at increased risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Some children are allowed by California law to skip immunizations if a parent submits a medical exemption (PME) at enrollment. Other children may be admitted to child care on the condition they complete remaining vaccinations when due. To lookup vaccination rates at your child care or school, select one of the following: Child Care/Preschool | Kindergarten | 7th Grade

Sometimes children have mild reactions from vaccines, such as pain where the shot was given, a rash, or a fever. These reactions are normal and will usually go away soon. Once you and your child get home after your vaccination appointment, you can use a cool, wet cloth to ease redness, soreness, and swelling in the place where the shot was given. Reduce any fevers with a cool sponge bath. If your doctor approves, give non-aspirin pain reliever. You also can read your child stories, cuddle and praise your child, and show some extra attention. Find more information on what to if your child has discomfort after the shot. Contact your doctor if anything concerns you.

A vaccine is a product that produces immunity from a disease and can be administered through needle injections, by mouth, or through aerosol inhaled by the nose.

A vaccination is the injection of a killed or weakened organism that produces immunity in the body against that organism.

An immunization is the process by which a person becomes protected from a disease. Vaccines cause immunization, and there are also some diseases that cause immunization after an individual recovers from the disease.