Yes. Every vaccine we use has gone through years of clinical trials and continuous safety monitoring. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived. Serious reactions are extremely rare, and no credible evidence has ever linked routine childhood vaccines to autism or other long-term conditions.

Can we space out or delay vaccines?

We follow the CDC schedule because it's designed to protect kids when they're most vulnerable. Delaying leaves children unprotected during the exact ages when diseases like whooping cough and meningitis are most dangerous.

What if my child is behind on vaccines?

There's a catch-up schedule for that. Whether your child missed a few months or several years, we can get them back on track without starting over.

Does my child need vaccines for school?

Mississippi requires specific vaccinations for school entry and for starting 7th grade. We provide the state-approved documentation you'll need for enrollment.

My child has a cold. Can they still get vaccinated?

Usually, yes. Mild illnesses like a runny nose or low fever don't prevent vaccination. If your child has a high fever or more serious illness, we may reschedule.

Child Vaccinations in Jackson, MS

Complete Childhood Immunization Services in Jackson, MS

Keeping your child up to date on vaccinations is one of the most important things you can do to protect their health. Children’s Medical Group provides routine and recommended childhood immunizations for infants, children, and teens at all four of our Central Mississippi locations: Jackson, Madison, Clinton, and Richland. Our board-certified pediatricians follow the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics immunization schedule, and we keep a detailed record of every dose your child receives.

Why Child Vaccinations Matter

Vaccines work by introducing a weakened or inactive form of a germ to your child’s immune system. That gives the body a chance to build protective antibodies without the risks of getting the actual disease. When enough children in a community are vaccinated, it also protects babies who are too young to be immunized and kids with medical conditions that prevent them from receiving certain vaccines.

Most of the core childhood vaccines are given between birth and age 6, often in combinations that reduce the number of shots your child needs. From age 7 through 18, a smaller number of boosters and age-specific vaccines keep that protection going. Vaccine records are also required for school enrollment and for most sports physicals, so staying on schedule saves last-minute scrambling.

Vaccines We Offer

We provide the full range of CDC-recommended childhood vaccines, including:

Hepatitis B (HepB)
Rotavirus (RV)
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP / Tdap)
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Pneumococcal (PCV)
Inactivated Poliovirus (IPV)
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
Varicella (chickenpox)
Hepatitis A (HepA)
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Meningococcal (MenACWY and MenB)
Influenza (annual flu shot)
COVID-19 (when recommended)

We also offer travel vaccinations and pre-travel health consultations. If your family is planning an international trip, schedule an appointment at least 4 to 6 weeks before you leave. For the current CDC-recommended schedule by age, you can review the CDC Travelers’ Health site.

The Childhood Immunization Schedule at a Glance

Here’s a simplified view of when the main vaccines are given. Your child’s exact schedule may vary based on their medical history and any doses they’ve already received.

Birth: HepB
2, 4, 6 months: DTaP, Hib, PCV, IPV, RV, HepB
12–15 months: MMR, Varicella, HepA, Hib booster, PCV booster
4–6 years: DTaP, IPV, MMR, Varicella boosters
11–12 years: Tdap, HPV, MenACWY
16 years: MenACWY booster, MenB
Every year, ages 6 months and up: Flu vaccine

Insurance, Costs, and the VFC Program

We accept most major insurance plans, and routine childhood immunizations are covered at 100% with no out-of-pocket cost under most plans. For families without insurance or with insurance that doesn’t cover vaccines, we participate in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which provides free vaccines to eligible kids from birth through age 18. If you have Medicaid, CHIP, or are uninsured, your child likely qualifies. Call our office at 601-362-8776 to ask about VFC eligibility.

Keeping Your Child’s Vaccine Record

We keep a full immunization record for every patient, and we can print or send a copy whenever you need one for school, daycare, sports, camp, or travel. It’s still a good idea to keep your own copy. Treat your child’s vaccine record like a birth certificate and store it with your other important documents.

If your child is transferring from another practice or you’ve lost their record, bring whatever documentation you have to your first visit and we’ll help reconstruct the schedule. New to our practice? Start here and download our new patient forms before your visit.

Schedule a Vaccination Appointment

Most vaccines are given during well-child visits, but we also offer vaccine-only appointments if your child is caught up on checkups and just needs a shot. To book, call your nearest location or use our online scheduling. At Children’s Medical, your child’s safety is our priority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment for a sick visit?

No, walk-ins are welcome during our sick visit sign-in windows (8:30–9 AM or 1–1:30 PM). You can also book same-day through our online scheduling if you prefer a set time.

What should I bring to a sick visit?

Your child’s insurance card, a photo ID, and a list of any medications they’re currently taking. If you’re tracking symptoms (fever times, how many vomiting episodes, etc.), bring that too. It helps the doctor move faster.

How long does a sick visit take?

Most sick visits take 20 to 40 minutes from check-in to walking out, depending on how busy the office is and whether your child needs a strep test, flu test, or other in-office work.

My child has a fever. Should I bring them in or wait?

Fever over 103°F in children six months and older is a reason to come in. So is any fever in a baby under three months. For fevers between 100.4°F and 103°F in older kids without other serious symptoms, you can often wait and watch. Call us at 601-362-8776 if you’re not sure.

Does my insurance cover a sick visit?

We accept most major insurance plans. A sick visit is billed the same as a regular office visit. Check with your insurance for your copay amount, or call our office and we can help you verify coverage before you come in.

What’s the difference between a sick visit and urgent care?

A sick visit is with your pediatrician or a partner pediatrician at your clinic, covered by your regular insurance copay, and documented in your child’s medical record. Urgent care is with a general provider, often costs more out of pocket, and the records don’t automatically flow back to your pediatrician. For kids, the sick visit is almost always the better choice when available.

Can I bring a sibling to the same visit?

If both kids need to be seen, yes, but each child needs to be signed in separately and will be billed separately. Let the front desk know at check-in so they can set up the paperwork for both.