PROTECT THEIR FUTURE
GET THE SHOT
Life saving vaccines can mean the difference between sick days and vacation days.
Get the facts about childhood vaccines, see doctor recommended schedules for your young ones and find a provider near you.
BIRTH–6 YEARS
VIEW SCHEDULE
7–18 YEARS
VIEW SCHEDULE
South Dakota Childhood Vaccine Providers
FIND A PROVIDER
VACCINE SAFETY & STATISTICS
Childhood immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements of the last century. Over the past 50 years, they’ve saved the lives of over 100 million infants. Over 20 million people who would have otherwise been paralyzed are able to walk. [1] Researchers estimate that getting routine vaccinations will prevent 508 million cases of illnesses in children born between 1994 and 2023. [2]
Despite these eye-opening numbers, only 69% of parents consider it “very” or “extremely” important to vaccinate their children — down from 94% in 2001. In South Dakota, vaccination rates for several illnesses have fallen to historic lows.
Misinformation surrounding vaccine safety has serious consequences. According to the CDC, more than 1,200 cases of measles — a disease thought to be eliminated by 2000 — were reported in the U.S. in 2019. Nearly 10% of kindergarteners in South Dakota are not vaccinated against measles. [3]
DO YOUR PART & BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION
Serious diseases like diphtheria, mumps and rubella were once common in children and caused tens of thousands of deaths per year. Now, they’re practically unheard of.
Let’s all do our part to keep it that way.
FAST FACTS
- The risks that come with getting a disease or illness far outweigh the risks of getting vaccinated for it. [4]
- 95% of children must be vaccinated against an illness for the community to have herd immunity.
- Only 63.9% of South Dakota children have received all of their recommended vaccines by the age of 2 (40th out of 50 states). [5]
TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT VACCINES.
SAFE
• Vaccines do not contain the disease they are protecting you against.
• A person is far more likely to be seriously harmed by getting a disease than by being vaccinated for it.
• Even after a vaccine is approved and recommended for use, their safety and effectiveness are continuously monitored.
PROVEN
• Most vaccines are researched and tested for 10–15 years before being approved.
• The process of creating vaccines is supported by all major health organizations, including the IHS, the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Read MoreWhat do vaccines do?
Vaccines train your immune system, helping your body learn how to defend itself from diseases without the dangers of infection. Vaccines do not make you sick, cause the disease or put you at risk of its symptoms and complications.
Are vaccines safe?
Vaccines are studied through a long, strict system of tests before being approved for use. They have helped us eliminate or nearly eliminate serious illnesses and are received by millions of people each year. If you have questions about the safety of vaccines or if you, a child or a family member has health complications, discuss them with your doctor first.
Do vaccines cause autism or other conditions or disorders?
No link between vaccines and autism has been found after many scientific studies. The possible side effects of most vaccines last for a short period of time and are almost always limited to minor symptoms, like soreness, fatigue and dizziness.
How are recommended schedules developed and why should I follow them?
A panel of professionals including vaccine experts, scientists, doctors and public health specialists meet three times a year to discuss vaccine recommendations. The age at which they recommend children get each vaccine, timing between doses and other considerations maximize both safety and effectiveness.
Why do there seem to be more recommended vaccines than in the past?
Advancements in medical science have allowed us to develop vaccines against more diseases than ever before and gain a better understanding of how children's immune systems work. The current recommended schedule protects your child by giving them vaccines at specific times when their bodies will respond best, ensuring they build long-lasting immunity with as few side effects as possible.
What is the MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine provides protection against measles, mumps and rubella. Children should get two doses of this vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12–15 months, then a second dose at age 4–6. Teens and adults can also get the vaccine if they did not as a child, with the first and second doses separated by at least 28 days.
What is the DTaP vaccine?
The DTaP vaccine protects your children against three life-threatening diseases: diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Diphtheria is a respiratory disease that can cause breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure and death. Pertussis can make it difficult for infants to eat, drink or breathe. Tetanus attacks the central nervous system and can cause muscle spasms severe enough to fracture bones.
GET THE SHOT | FACTS | RESOURCES | TELL ME MORE
Sponsored by The South Dakota Department of Health
Safety of Vaccines Used for routine Immunization of US Children: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics, Maglione et al. (July 1, 2014)
The South Dakota Department of Health supplies childhood vaccines for children eligible for the federal Vaccines for Children Program. The following conditions apply to eligible children: 1) You cannot be charged for the vaccine; 2) The provider may charge an administration fee but the fee must be waived if you cannot pay; and 3) You may be required to pay an office visit fee to receive the vaccine.
© 2025. All rights reserved.