informed immunity

Breaking Down the U.S. Vaccine Schedule

Welcome to Informed Immunity where this month we are bringing awareness to vaccines, what they are what they do for the body. Understanding that this is my body my choice. Today we’re digging into the U.S. vaccine schedule: how it’s built, why each vaccine is included, how it’s changed since the late 1900s, and what that means for you and your family.

How the Vaccine Schedule Works (2025)

Every year, the CDC updates the vaccine schedule for kids, teens, and adults. It’s not a static list—it changes as science and society change.

Here’s what to know:

• Routine vaccines are the standard ones offered for everyone.

• Catch-up vaccines are for anyone who fell behind—good news, you don’t need to restart, just adjust the timing.

• Optional vaccines are based on “shared decision-making”—like RSV for adults over 60 or MenB for healthy teens.

Each vaccine comes with a VIS (Vaccine Information Statement) that explains what it’s for, risks, side effects, and alternatives. You’re legally entitled to see this before you say yes.

And here’s the key: The federal government doesn’t mandate vaccines. States set their own rules for school and daycare, which is why requirements vary depending on where you live.

Vaccines on the List

Infants & Toddlers (Birth–15 months):

• Hep B – protects from liver disease and cancer.

• DTaP – defends against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.

• Hib & PCV – prevent meningitis and pneumonia.

• Polio – prevents paralysis.

• Rotavirus – prevents severe diarrhea and dehydration.

  
  

Please note that we are born with no immunity at all, so when we are exposing these vaccines to our immune system we want to make sure we are building something natural like colostrum from mothers breast milk. The question really is though why does a newborn need all of this ?

Preschool & Early Childhood (1–6 years):

• MMR – measles, mumps, rubella.

• Varicella – chickenpox.

• Hep A – liver protection.

• Flu – seasonal, helps keep kids out of the hospital.

The MMR vaccine has been around for as long as I can remember and is one of those vaccines that may or may not. be required to take depending on your environment. If this is something you do not agree with than there are always alternatives. Who here has been personally victimized by the ChickenPox? Once you get it you cannot get it again, but unfortunately if we don't keep a healthy immune system this latent virus can turn into Shingles. Hate to break it to you but Hepatitis A is something if not all of us have all had. It is a fancier way to say you have food poisoning.. Why is this a vaccine unless traveling to third world countries. Be aware that the flu vaccine changes every year and may not even cover the strain you may become infected with. Pose the question of what strain it covers and if you really want to take that risk.

Adolescents:

• Tdap booster – refreshes pertussis protection.

• HPV – protects against cancers caused by HPV.

• Meningococcal – prevents deadly meningitis outbreaks, especially in dorms or sports teams.

The Tdap booster reintroduces the virus because antibodies are too low. Our immune system technically "forgot" about it... so why would we need more? Raise your hand if you have ever been personally victimized by the HPV vaccine when you were not even sexually active. oh, and in case no one has told you, men carry this virus and it goes undetected in their body. Make that make sense. The meningococcal vaccine should only be if you are going to be EXPOSED in places like that; and even then it is still a risk because there are different strains.

Adults:

• Shingles – prevents painful shingles and nerve pain.

• Pneumococcal – expanded protection starting at age 50.

• COVID-19 – seasonal updates.

• RSV – new vaccines available for older adults.

Get this, if you never had the chicken pox, you cannot get shingles. but when you get the vaccine and or had the virus you are susceptible to the infection. Is this a risk you are willing to take? . During the flu/pneumonia season if you are sick, healthcare professionals will not advise patients to even get this vaccine because the immune system is too low. Unfortunately, RSV has been affecting the geriatric population so that is why we see it here. The last but certainly not least is the reason I am so passionate about this month. It has not only opened my eyes, but so many others to how modern medicine plays a huge role on how informed and controlled we are. The very company who has lawsuits upon law suits is now creating a vaccines thats going to "cure" us all. Better yet, lets make it mandatory or you lose your job, even though the clinical research is still amateur without FDA approval!! Some medical professionals even were threatened when speaking up. No clinical studies on fertility and long term effects, and once new information came to light and there were fatal complications to this mRNA vaccines, people started realizing hey we are not the experiment. We will not allow you to blindly control our life. As someone who believes in science and the hypothesis with its ever evolutionary learning; this is far from it.

the Schedule Has Changed

• 1980s–1990s: Mostly DTP, Polio, and MMR. Hib, Hep B, and chickenpox were added by the ’90s.

• 2000s–2010s: More additions—pneumococcal, Hep A, rotavirus (newer versions), HPV, meningococcal vaccines.

• 2020s: COVID-19, RSV vaccines, and updated pneumonia vaccines for adults.

  
  

The schedule you see today isn’t the same one from the ’80s or ’90s. And it won’t look the same ten years from now. That’s why informed consent and asking questions are essential, because not every vaccine is automatically necessary for every single person and we should be aware of that!

This isn’t about telling you what to do, it’s about giving you the tools to decide. The vaccine schedule is constantly evolving, and so should our awareness.

Because at the end of the day, it’s our body, our choice, our temple.

Next week, we’ll wrap up Vaccine Awareness Month with unfortunate major side effects of vaccines & natural ways to strengthen your immunity. Do not miss the one thing most people forget.

Stay tuned! Remember, Ask questions, know your options, and protect your temple with decisions that fit your family.

I want to hear from you this week!

Do you know anyone personally victimized by a vaccines they received?

Do you know anyone who's life has changed because of a vaccine?

What do you feel after getting a vaccine?

What questions do you have ?

xoxo,

Your Vitality Coach

Heather Rose

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Child and adolescent immunization schedule by age. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Adult immunization schedule. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Catch-up immunization schedule for children and adolescents who start late or who are more than 1 month behind. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/catchup.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Vaccine information statements (VISs). U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/index.html

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (2024). Vaccine history: Developments by year. Vaccine Education Center. https://www.chop.edu/vaccine-education-center/science/history/vaccine-history

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025, January). FDA updates safety labeling for RSV vaccines regarding risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/safety-availability-biologics