What Happens if a Child Misses a Vaccine?
Don’t worry! Although it is optimal to for your child to receive their vaccine doses at the regularly scheduled time, the doses can be rescheduled and given on a catch-up timetable. But it is important to notify your vaccine provider as soon as possible to receive the missed dose(s).
If you miss a dose of a vaccine series, it typically is not necessary to start over. It is important to have a record of your child’s immunization schedule if you are not using the same provider so that they can verify the type of vaccine product and when it was last given. Then discuss the catch-up times with your provider so that you don’t miss or delay any future doses.
Lastly, vaccinations for a child should not be intentionally delayed or skipped as the protection that a full series of doses will provide is important. Without this protection the child may be vulnerable to serious diseases.