When your baby is born, they will not have a fully developed immune system. This makes them vulnerable to infections. Anyone, including parents, siblings, grandparents, babysitters, nannies, and other caregivers who are around your baby should be up to date on all routine vaccines. Anyone who needs vaccines should get them at least two weeks before meeting the baby. It takes about two weeks to develop antibodies after vaccination.
The following vaccines are important to have:
- Whooping Cough Vaccine (Tdap or DTaP) for Those Around Babies
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Whooping cough is a serious concern for babies because they do not start their own whooping cough vaccines until they are 2 months old. The best way to protect newborns from whooping cough is to make sure anyone around the baby has completed all their recommended whooping cough shots.
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) and Td (Tetanus and Diptheria) Vaccine
- Flu Vaccine for Adults Around Babies
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Babies younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu complications but are too young to receive a flu vaccine. Before your baby is born, everyone who cares for the baby (parents, siblings, teachers, babysitters, nannies) should get vaccinated during each flu season. We recommend getting the flu shot by the end of October, before flu activity begins to increase.
- COVID-19
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Eligible family members, caregivers and visitors should stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, including getting a COVID-19 booster shot when it’s time to get one.
For the most up to date information on COVID-19 vaccine, visit COVID-19 Vaccine
Resources/Related Information
- Vaccines for Family and Caregivers (CDC)
- Parents need vaccines, too! (PDF)
- If you need help finding a health care provider, or if you don't have health insurance, call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 or visit ParentHelp123 website.
- Vaccinate Your Family Immunization Resources for Parents and Parents-to-Be
- Vaccinate Your Family Vaccine Resources for the Public