There are vaccines to help prevent you and your family from getting very sick from common illnesses. Erie providers think getting vaccinated is one of the best things you and your family can do to prevent getting seriously sick from certain diseases.
Immunizations are one of the greatest public health achievements, preventing tens of thousands of deaths, millions of cases of disease, and saving billions of dollars per decade. Immunizations are a safe, effective way to protect children and adults from disease, including some cancers, as well as hospitalization, disability, and death. It is especially important to complete routine immunizations to prevent a disease outbreak, public health emergency or future pandemic.
Important Child & Teen
Vaccine Schedules
Vaccine Schedule
for Pregnancy
Vaccine Schedule
for Adults
Learn more about
important vaccines
Tips for getting vaccinations and
prescriptions at your pharmacy
Important Childhood Vaccines
There are highly effective, very safe vaccinations available to prevent babies and kids from disease, including certain cancers, as well as hospitalization, disability, and even death. These vaccines protect babies whose immune systems are still developing AND keep them protected as they grow up.
Depending on your child’s age, there are vaccines to prevent against: flu; RSV; measles, mumps and rubella; chickenpox; polio; tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough); COVID-19, HPV, and other illnesses.
Following the recommended vaccine schedule is key to keeping your child healthy!
- Erie’s providers follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
- Erie strongly advises against skipping vaccines. Picking and choosing which vaccines your child receives goes against our best medical advice. And it leaves your child at risk for vaccine-preventable illness which may be serious, or spread to other loved ones. If you are worried about a particular vaccine, please speak with your healthcare provider.
One common belief - that vaccines cause autism - is untrue.
- Vaccines do not cause autism.
- Researchers haven't found any connection between autism and childhood vaccines, and the study that first started the controversy was proved to be false in 2010.
Recommended Child and Teen Vaccine Schedules
Click on the photo to download a printable copy of each vaccine schedule in English. Spanish copies will be coming soon.
Vaccines that Protect Parents and Babies during Pregnancy
Vaccinations help protect you and your baby from certain diseases and infections. However, not all vaccines are safe to get during pregnancy. Erie recommends the following vaccinations during pregnancy because they are safe and effective in preventing illness affecting pregnant people and their babies – even after they are born!
Vaccines that Protect Adults
These vaccines are recommended for adults age 19 Years and older...
Learn More about Important Vaccines
Why does Erie strongly recommend you get a flu shot every year?
Flu season happens from October to May. The flu can turn very serious for people like children under 2, adults over 65, pregnant people, and people with certain conditions like asthma, heart disease or weakened immune systems. The flu vaccine helps protect you from getting really sick with the flu, and keeps people out of the hospital.
The flu vaccine is one you should get every year. Flu viruses change constantly, so the vaccine is reviewed each year and updated as needed, based on which flu viruses are making people sick.
Who should be vaccinated?
Anyone older than 6 months of age should get a flu shot every year – early in the flu season – for the best protection.
If a child is between 6 months and 8 years of age, and is getting their first flu shot, they will need 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart. This helps their body build strong protection.
Is it safe?
YES! Any side effects are usually mild and go away quickly. Mild side effects may include soreness at the injection site, a slight fever or achiness. Any severe side effects are extremely rare. The idea that the flu vaccine can give you the flu is a myth/not true.
Where can I get the flu vaccine?
You can call Erie at 312-666-3494 to schedule a lab appointment for yourself or your child over 6 months old.
However, if you have insurance, you may find it more convenient to make an appointment to get a flu vaccine at your local Walgreens (ages 3 and up). Visit the Walgreens website or download the Walgreens app to make vaccine appointment at a Walgreens.
Where can I learn more?
Erie Pediatric Flu FAQs
Flu Myths vs. Facts (Chicago Department of Public Health)
Why does Erie strongly recommend getting vaccinated against RSV?
RSV is a respiratory virus that, in some cases, can be particularly serious for infants, pregnant people and the elderly. In fact, RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization for infants in the US. Good news: there is a new vaccine to help prevent RSV infection!
The RSV shot helps protect pregnant women, elderly and infants from getting really sick and keeps people out of the hospital.
Who should be vaccinated?
Erie strongly recommends that any baby currently younger than 8 months of age get vaccinated against RSV. Additionally, some babies age 8 – 20 months may also be eligible for the RSV vaccine, if they are at high risk for severe illness.
Erie also recommends people who are pregnant get the RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) to protect their baby once they are born.
Is it safe?
YES! Any side effects are usually mild and go away quickly. Mild side effects may include infant fussiness, a slight fever, and pain, swelling or redness at the injection site.
Where can I learn more?
- CDC RSV resource for parents: click here
- Illinois American Academy of Pediatrics RSV Resource for parents: click here
- CDC RSV vaccine guidance for pregnant women: click here
Why does Erie strongly recommend you get the MMR vaccine?
This one vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella - three highly contagious, potentially very serious, viral diseases that can be spread through the air. In fact, measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 9 out of 10 people of any age around them will also get measles if they haven’t been vaccinated.
Recently, there have been measles outbreaks in certain parts of the United States among people who have not been vaccinated. In some cases, people have died.
Who should be vaccinated?
Children need 2 doses of MMR vaccine to make sure they have immunity. They should get the first dose between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second dose between 4 and 6 years old.
Babies between the ages of 6 and 11 months who will be traveling internationally, or to areas where measles is spreading, can get one dose two weeks before they travel.
Older children or adults who haven’t received two doses of the MMR vaccine, or who are unsure of your vaccination history, should talk with your Erie provider about what they recommend. Pregnant people, or people with weakened immune systems, should not get the vaccine.
Is it safe?
YES! Any side effects are usually mild and go away quickly. Mild side effects may include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, a mild rash, slight fever or achiness. Any severe side effects are extremely rare.
Where can I learn more?
Measles: What Parents Need to Know
How to Protect Your Children During a Measles Outbreak
Why does Erie strongly recommend you get the HPV vaccine?
HPV is a family of very common sexually-transmitted infections. Most men and women will get at least one type of HPV in their lifetime. Most cases of HPV clear up on their own, but some cases of HPV can lead to six different types of cancer. In fact, HPV is the cause of almost all cervical cancer in women, and the majority of cases of cancer of the tongue and tonsils in men. The HPV vaccine can effectively prevent against these cancers.
Who should be vaccinated?
- All boys and girls should receive 2 doses of the HPV vaccine, start at 11- to 12-years old, given 6 to 12 months apart.
- Anyone through the age of 26 who has not received both doses of HPV vaccine can also be vaccinated.
- Adults between the ages of 27 and 45 should speak with their healthcare provider.
While the HPV vaccine does prevent a sexually-transmitted disease, it works the best when given as earlier as possible (between age 11 and 12), even though the child is not likely to be sexually active yet. The vaccine produces better immunity to fight HPV infection later in life when given to preteens as compared to older adolescents and adults.
Is it safe?
YES! Any side effects are usually mild and go away quickly. Mild side effects may include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, a slight fever or headache. Any severe side effects are extremely rare.
Where can I learn more?
HPV: Facts About the Virus that Causes Cancer and How to Prevent It
HPV Vaccination: Just the Facts
Why does Erie strongly recommend you get a Pneumonia vaccine?
Pneumonia is a respiratory disease that is caused by bacteria (which is different than viral illnesses like Flu, COVID-19 and RSV). The bacteria is spread from person-to-person through direct contact, like being face-to-face with someone who is sick and coughing or sneezing.
Pneumonia can look different from person-to-person and often look similar to other respiratory infections. Symptoms may include
- fever, chills
- cough
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
Pneumonia can affect anyone but is most common in young children and older adults. Older adults are at the greatest risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
There are different kinds of vaccines to help prevent pneumonia. The vaccines you may see or hear the most are Pneumovax 23, Prevnar 15, and Prevnar 20.
Your provider can help know if vaccination is recommended for you, and which vaccine is right for you or your young children. The good news is that these vaccines are very good at preventing infection.
Most adults only need to get the pneumonia vaccine once.
For older adults, the pneumonia vaccine is available at pharmacies (like Walgreens) without a prescription, or you can talk to your healthcare provider about options.
Who should be vaccinated?
- all children under 5 years old
- all adults age 65 and older
- people between ages 5-64 who are at increased risk for disease, including people with diabetes, chronic lung conditions such as asthma, immuno-compromising conditions, and people who smoke.
Is it safe?
YES! Any side effects are usually mild and go away quickly. Mild side effects may include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, a slight fever, fatigue or achiness. Any severe side effects are extremely rare.
It is safe to get the pneumonia vaccine at the same time as other recommended vaccines, such as flu, COVID-19, or RSV.
Where can I learn more?
Why does Erie strongly recommend you get a COVID vaccine?
COVID-19 can still cause serious illness, hospitalization and even death for both children and adults. Each fall, the COVID vaccine is updated – like the flu vaccine – to offer the best protection against the current strain of COVID that is circulating. Because both immunity after a COVID-19 infection and protection from the COVID-19 vaccine decreases with time, we recommend getting an updated COVID vaccine every year.
Who should be vaccinated?
Anyone over 6 months of age, especially adults age 65 and older and anyone who is at increased risk for disease, including people with diabetes, chronic lung conditions such as asthma, immuno-compromising conditions.
Is it safe?
YES! Any side effects are usually mild and go away quickly. Mild side effects may include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, a slight fever, fatigue or achiness. Any severe side effects are extremely rare.
Where can I learn more?
Funding provided in part by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Financiamiento proporcionado en parte por el Departamento de Salud Pública de Illinois.
Tips for getting prescriptions and
vaccinations at your pharmacy
Getting a vaccine from your pharmacy
You can get many common vaccines like flu, COVID-19, RSV, pneumonia, and shingles vaccines at pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS, Jewel Osco, Walmart, or your local pharmacy. If your provider gives you a prescription for a vaccine, the tips for filling prescriptions may help too.
To avoid long wait times, and to be sure the pharmacy has the vaccine in stock, make an appointment first. You can make a vaccine appointment:
- On the pharmacy's website, like walgreens.com or cvs.com
- In the pharmacy's app, if they have one. Pharmacy apps can be downloaded for free from the app store on your phone or tablet.
- Some pharmacies might help you over the phone. Most prefer you make the appointment online or in the app.
Tips
- If no appointments are available in your area, wait a few days and try again. Your pharmacy may have more vaccines available soon.
- You can find out if your pharmacy, or one nearby has the vaccines that you want by checking on their website, or their app, if they have one.
- For children between 3 - 5 years old, the location options will be more limited.
- Pharmacies do not vaccinate any children under age 3.
Getting your prescriptions filled or refilled
- If your provider wrote a prescription today, it will be sent to the pharmacy you have given to Erie.
- Wait at least 2 hours before you try to pick it up—unless the pharmacy messages you to say it is ready sooner.
- To confirm when a prescription will be ready for pick up, please call the pharmacy directly.
- If you have a problem with your prescription at the pharmacy counter, you or the pharmacist can call Erie at 312-666-3494 and follow the prompts for prescription refills.
- Erie's pharmacy team regular hours of operations are Monday – Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM.
- To refill a prescription, first talk to your pharmacy.
- If the pharmacy says that you need to talk to your provider, you can message your provider in your Erie MyChart account. Please allow a few business days to process your request.
- Please do not use Erie MyChart for time-sensitive requests. If you have an urgent need, and the pharmacy is unable to help, call Erie.
Download the free app for your pharmacy like Walgreens.
The Walgreens app is available in the Google Play store and the Apple App store. It is an easy way to communicate with your pharmacy, to track and ask your pharmacy for prescription refills and to make vaccine appointments.
Call (312) 666-3494 to schedule an appointment.
For our suburban locations call (847) 666-3494
Erie Family Health Centers received back-to-back 2024 and 2025 USA Today Top Workplaces Awards, Top Workplaces Purpose and Values Awards, and the Healthcare Industry Award. These awards recognize that our shared belief in Erie's mission and values drives everything we do.