Childhood Vaccine Resources

Protecting Children. Protecting Our Community.

At Stony Brook Children’s, keeping children safe and healthy is at the heart of everything we do. Declining childhood vaccination rates are putting infants, children and entire communities at increased risk for serious, preventable diseases—and we see the consequences firsthand.

Vaccines are among the safest and most effective tools in modern medicine. They have saved millions of lives, reduced hospitalizations and help protect our most vulnerable patients, including newborns and children who are too young or too sick to be fully vaccinated.

We understand that many families have questions. Conflicting information and misinformation can make vaccine decisions feel overwhelming. Our pediatricians are here to listen, address your concerns and provide clear, reliable information you can trust.

Use this page to explore evidence-based resources developed by our medical experts, including articles about vaccines and why they matter, the immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and answers to common questions families ask every day.

Health Hub Articles About Childhood Vaccines

A smiling doctor with a stethoscope talks to a father holding a baby during a pediatric checkup.

A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Childhood Vaccines

Making informed decisions about your child’s health begins with clear, evidence-based information. Childhood vaccines have a long track record of safety and effectiveness. They are a cornerstone of pediatric care, protecting children from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.

Close-up of a sleeping newborn in a white onesie being gently held in an adult’s hands.

Hepatitis B Vaccine for Children: Why It’s Given at Birth

When your baby is born, the immune system begins learning right away how to protect against new germs and viruses in the surrounding environment. Vaccines contribute to that process by safely teaching the immune system how to defend against serious infections—starting with hepatitis B.

A father helps a young child wipe their nose with a tissue while the child looks upset.

Protecting Yourself, Your Family and Your Community Against Measles

Measles is an incredibly contagious disease that can create serious, sometimes life-threatening complications.

A mother kisses a sleeping newborn wearing a striped hat while gently supporting the baby’s head.

Vitamin K Shot for Newborns: Why It’s Important

The first moments after birth are a whirlwind of activity and emotion, and amidst the excitement of welcoming a new baby to the world, healthcare providers provide newborns with a critical protective measure for their health: a vitamin K shot.

A sick child in a red sweater lies on a bed while an adult hand rests on their forehead to check for fever.

The New H3N2 “Super Flu” Strain: Will Your Flu Shot Protect You?

A new H3N2 subclade K flu strain is making headlines this season, raising a common and important question: “Will my flu shot still work?” In short, getting your annual flu shot remains the single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from influenza.

A mother holds a thermometer and checks her child’s forehead while the child rests under a blanket on the couch.

HEALTH Yeah! Episode 10: Measles

The New York State Department of Health has issued a Health Advisory due to rising measles cases and hospitalizations in parts of the United States. Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily through coughing and sneezing.

AAP Immunization Schedule

You may have seen news recently about changing childhood vaccine recommendations. Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and the New York State Department of Health continue to follow the evidence-based recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This schedule is developed by leading pediatric experts and based on decades of research. It provides a clear, trusted roadmap to help protect your child’s health at every stage of growth. You can view and download the 2026 AAP vaccine recommendations by age.

AAP Vaccine Recommendations

Questions about vaccines or your child’s immunization schedule are common — and you don’t have to face them alone. Our pediatricians are here to listen, answer your questions, and help you make confident, informed decisions while ensuring your child receives recommended vaccines safely and on schedule.

Watch Our PSAs

In this series of short PSAs, our own Stony Brook Children’s pediatricians address common questions about vaccine safety, sharing what decades of research and real-world experience have taught us. Each video focuses on a specific vaccine and explains how safety, effectiveness, and careful monitoring guide every recommendation we make.

Protect Your Baby from RSV

RSV is a common virus that can cause serious breathing problems and hospitalization in infants. Babies can be protected through a maternal RSV vaccine late in pregnancy or a protective antibody shot for infants under 8 months, both of which provide immediate, effective protection during RSV season.

Talk with your pediatrician to learn which RSV protection option is right for your child.

Protect Your Child with the MMR Vaccine

The MMR vaccine protects children from measles, mumps, and rubella—highly contagious illnesses that can cause serious complications.

Recommended in two doses (first at 12 months, second at 4 years), the MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and helps protect your child and the community.

Protect Your Newborn with the Vitamin K Shot

Newborns have very low vitamin K, a nutrient essential for blood clotting. Without it, babies are at risk for serious internal bleeding, including in the brain or gut.

A single vitamin K shot at birth provides safe, proven protection and is recommended by pediatricians for every newborn. Give your baby this vital first step for a healthy start.

Protect Your Baby from Hepatitis B from Day One

The hepatitis B vaccine is the first shot most babies receive—ideally within 24 hours of birth. It protects against a serious liver infection that can cause lifelong health problems. Since 1991, early vaccination has reduced infant hepatitis B infections by 95%.

Dr. Candace Foy, pediatrician and Medical Director of the Newborn Nursery, trusts this vaccine for her own children and encourages parents to give their baby this safe, vital protection.

Protecting Their Tomorrow Starts Today

Parents naturally have questions about childhood vaccines. The recommended U.S. vaccine schedule is carefully developed by medical experts to protect children when they are most vulnerable to serious disease.

Delaying or skipping vaccines does not make them safer—it leaves children unprotected during critical early years.

Take the Next Step to Protect Your Child

Vaccinating your children protects them from preventable, serious diseases — and helps protect others who are most vulnerable. Keeping your child up to date on immunizations is one of the most important steps you can take to protect their health.

Our pediatric primary care team is here to guide you every step of the way — answering questions, reviewing your child’s immunization schedule and providing vaccines in a safe, supportive setting.

Make an appointment today, or learn more about our pediatric primary care providers, locations, and hours.

Call (631) 444-KIDS (5437)