Childhood Vaccine Safety: What NH Parents Need to Know in 2025

Parents want the best for their children — and when it comes to vaccines, it’s natural to have questions. Childhood vaccine safety has been proven through decades of rigorous studies, making vaccines one of the safest and most effective ways to protect your child, your family, and your community.  

Still, childhood vaccination rates in New Hampshire have slipped in recent years. According to the CDC, statewide kindergarten coverage is about 89%, below the national average of 93%. That means more children are at risk of serious, preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough.  

At The Elliot, we believe prevention is one of the best investments in your child’s health, and our goal is to provide clear, reliable information so you can make confident decisions for your family. Medical Director of Primary Care, Dr. Maria Boylan, shares what parents should know about childhood vaccines and why staying on schedule matters now more than ever. 

Are Childhood Vaccines Safe? What Studies Show 

Yes. Vaccines go through years of rigorous testing and clinical trials, often involving thousands of participants, before approval. These trials are carefully designed to ensure safety, effectiveness, and catch any potential side effects. Safety is continuously monitored long after the vaccines are introduced to the public. If any unexpected side effects show up, even something rare, it’s investigated immediately. 

Side effects are generally mild and temporary, such as soreness at the injection site or a low-grade fever. Serious reactions are extremely rare- less than 1 in a million. The risks from the diseases (like measles, whooping cough, or polio) that vaccines protect against, is far greater than the risk from the vaccine itself. 

Why Kids Get Vaccines Early: Safety and Effectiveness 

To protect children as early, safely, and effectively as possible during the time they’re most vulnerable to serious illness. Their immune systems are still developing, so they’re most likely to get seriously ill from diseases like whooping cough, measles, meningitis, pneumonia. Some of these illnesses can be fatal in infants and toddlers. And we want children to be protected before they’re exposed.  

Backed by global research and years of scientific study, the recommended schedule, developed by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, is designed to give children the right protection at the right time. The timing of each vaccine is chosen to match how a baby’s immune system matures. Some vaccines don’t work well if given too early, while others need a few doses to “teach” the immune system how to fight off an infection. That’s why vaccines are spaced out in multiple doses over time- to train the immune system to build protection. 

Is it possible for kids to get “too many” vaccines? 

No. Children’s immune systems encounter thousands of antigens daily from food, the environment, and everyday germs. Vaccines are just a small fraction of that — carefully formulated to safely build immunity. 

Vaccines contain tiny amounts of weakened or inactive germs (or just proteins) and modern vaccines are much more refined than in the past. In fact, kids today are exposed to fewer immune-stimulating components of vaccines than they were 30 years ago, even though they get more shots. 

Combining vaccines reduces visits, pain, and stress. Many vaccines are given together in combination (like DTaP, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) to minimize the number of shots. This means fewer appointments, fewer needle sticks and less emotional stress for both kids and parents. 

The Benefits: Why Staying on Schedule Is Worth It 

Vaccines don’t just protect the individual child; they protect the community. When coverage dips below a certain threshold (also called “herd immunity”), diseases like measles, pertussis (whooping cough), or mumps can spread rapidly and lead to an increased risk of outbreaks. Keeping up with vaccinations and staying on schedule offers important benefits: 

• Protects your child from serious, preventable diseases. 
• Helps safeguard your community, including infants and children who are immunocompromised.  
• Prevents outbreaks that can disrupt schools and strain hospitals. 
• Gives parents peace of mind knowing their child is protected. 

Some parents wonder if spacing out vaccines is safer, but the truth is, the current schedule is the safest and most effective way to protect children. Delaying vaccines means: more visits, more needle pokes, and longer time your child is at risk for serious illness. There’s no proven benefit to spacing out vaccines. 

What if my child is behind schedule? 

It’s never too late. Health experts have a catch-up vaccination scheduled designed specifically for kids who’ve missed one or more shots. It doesn’t mean starting over. It just means giving the remaining doses at safe intervals to build full protection. 

For a current, state-specific immunization timeline, see the NH Simplified Immunization Schedule (Birth-18 years) published by the NH Department of Health and Human Services. 

Or view the latest CDC Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age, updated August 2025, reflects the latest recommendations including catch-up intervals and age-specific vaccine timing.” 

Tips for Parents 

Most parents choose to vaccinate their children, and primary care providers strongly recommend vaccines. Your provider is there to answer questions, and they want you to feel confident in your decision.  

Keeping your child up to date with vaccines doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Here are a few simple ways to stay on track: 

• Be sure your child is scheduled for their routine well child visits. Not only are visits important to your child getting immunized, but also to ensure proper growth and development.  
• Ask your provider if your child is up to date according to their recommended vaccine schedule. 
• Use technology tools or apps to track upcoming vaccine dates. Check your child’s Mychart for vaccine history and upcoming appointments.  
• Ask questions! We encourage you to ask your pediatrician or family medicine provider about side effects, safety data, and what to expect. 
• Encourage family and caregivers (grandparents, babysitters) to also stay current on vaccines, such as flu, COVID, and pertussis boosters, to reduce risk of exposure. 

We’re Here to Help   

At The Elliot, we’re here to support your family every step of the way — from answering questions to making sure your child gets the protection they need, when they need it. 

Ready to schedule your child’s next visit? Go to Elliot Pediatric Primary Care to find a location near you or call our Provider Match team at 603-665-0826 to connect with a provider who meets your family’s unique needs. Together, we can keep your family — and our New Hampshire community — healthy and safe. 

You may also be interested in:  

Lead Screening for Children | Elliot Health System | Manchester & Nashua, NH 

Expert Pediatric Emergency Care at Elliot Hospital 

Maria Boylan, DO is the Medical Director of Primary Care at The Elliot and is board-certified in family medicine, practicing at Elliot Family Medicine at Bedford. She trained at the New Hampshire Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency and is passionate about providing comprehensive, team-based care for patients of all ages.