Every year in the United States, many people get diseases that vaccines can prevent. Healthy People 2030 focuses on preventing infectious diseases by increasing vaccination rates.

Infants and children need to get vaccinated to prevent diseases like hepatitis, measles, and pertussis (whooping cough). Though most children get recommended vaccines, some communities have low vaccination coverage that puts them at risk for outbreaks. Strategies to ensure more children get vaccinated — like requiring vaccination for children in school — are key to reducing rates of infectious diseases.

Adolescents also need vaccines. For example, adolescents need the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine to prevent cancers caused by the HPV virus. Teaching people about the importance of vaccines, sending vaccination reminders, and making it easier to get vaccines can help increase vaccination rates in adolescents and adults.

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Vaccine Abbreviations:  

HPV = Human Papillomavirus

Tdap = Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis

MCV = meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY)​

DTaP = Diptheria, Tetanus, pertussus

IPV = Inactivated polio vaccine

MMR = Measles, mumps, rubella 

Hib = Haemophilus influenzae type b

HepB = Hepatitis B vaccine 

PCV = Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine