Vaccine requirements for children depend on age.

Children going into kindergarten will need to get a series of booster shots, which include polio, MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and chickenpox.

“Vaccines are incredibly important for our kids. They help to protect us against diseases that can be severely debilitating and sometimes even life threatening,” said Dr. Kimberly Giuliano of The Cleveland Clinic. “So it’s tough to think of about, you know, a poke or something that’s going to produce a little bit of anxiety for your child; but when you think about the alternative, having your child in the ICU, or having them pass away, really, it’s an easy choice to make.”

It’s also a good idea to get children the flu shot, especially if they have any underlying medical issues like asthma or diabetes, experts say.