Immunizations (vaccines) help prevent a variety of illnesses that can occur in childhood and adulthood. Immunizations protect against serious diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).

When you get sick, your immune system creates antibodies to fight the disease and then “remembers” it next time you come in contact with that same disease. That’s why you can’t get these same preventable diseases twice. Immunizations contain strains of a disease that have been killed or drastically weakened. When you receive a vaccine, your body creates antibodies against that disease and makes you immune to it.

University of Miami Health System offers a variety of immunizations to ensure your child is protected against diseases.

Who is a Candidate?

All adolescents — especially those who are behind on their vaccine schedule — should receive the recommended immunizations.

What to Expect

Your child’s doctor will tell you which immunizations your child needs, based on their health history. These may include:

• Annual flu shot
• Chickenpox (varicella)
• DTaP and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Hepatitis A or B
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• Meningococcal (meningitis)
• Polio (IPV)
• Pneumococcal (PCV)

Why Choose UHealth?

Treating young patients from all over the world. Children and their families come from all over the world to receive quality care, compassionately delivered by outstanding pediatric specialists and other skilled medical professionals within our facilities. 

Recognized for excellence in care. We have received the “Best Practice” designation from the Florida Department of Health and its Miami-Dade County branch for HIV testing and treatment services for 13 to 24-year-olds with the HIV infection or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Some of our doctors have also earned the “Best Doctor in America” recognition from the American Health Council. 

Top-notch care in an academic health system. Backed by one of the nation’s top universities, our team uses the latest technologies and research-driven expertise to provide your child with superior, personalized care and the best outcomes possible. We’re the only academic health center in South Florida with developmental and behavioral pediatric specialists on staff.

Involvement with research and education. Members of our adolescent medicine team are also involved in research and education, allowing us to offer the latest, innovative treatments sooner than other facilities in South Florida. We have a 24-year continual experience with national research projects concerning HIV infection in youth, adolescent sexual health, and prevention of STDs in teenagers. We’re also involved in national collaborations concerning injury prevention and health promotion.