6 childhood diseases you may have forgotten about because of vaccines

Many highly infectious and dangerous diseases no longer make headlines because vaccines have been so effective at decreasing these threats. However, the bacteria and germs that cause these diseases are alive and some are spreading again in the U.S.

“The use of vaccines has led to major improvements in child health over the years,” said Dr. Tracy Muday, Regence executive medical director. “Some diseases that commonly caused hospitalization and death in this country can be prevented through routine vaccinations. But these infectious diseases easily spread among people who are unprotected, as we’re seeing with the measles in some states. Getting vaccinated is one of the safest and most effective preventive care measures available. By following the recommended vaccination schedule, we can help keep our children and communities safe.”

Vaccinations are covered at 100% by most health plans and you don’t necessarily need a doctor’s appointment. Many vaccinations for adults and older kids can be received at your pharmacy and even dentist offices. It’s best to call first to ensure they have vaccine available and they’re able to vaccinate children.

Vaccine-preventable diseases

Here’s a look at some vaccine-preventable diseases we may have forgotten but haven’t gone away. If you think you or your children haven’t received a vaccine from this list, talk with your provider to ensure everyone’s up to date.

Measles (Rubeola)

Measles is extremely contagious and can lead to serious illness and even death. About one in five people who get measles will be hospitalized. Measles can also cause premature or low-birth-weight births in unvaccinated pregnant women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared in 2000 measles had been virtually eliminated in the U.S. because of high vaccination rates, but declining vaccination rates in the years since have led to a resurgence of the disease. As of April 10, 2025, the CDC reported more than 700 measles cases in the U.S. so far in the year, with two confirmed deaths in school aged children.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) can cause serious illness in people of all ages and can be life-threatening, especially in babies. Whooping cough was one of the most common childhood diseases and a major cause of childhood death in the U.S. before the vaccine. Outbreaks of the disease continue to be common and up to 20 babies still die from whooping cough each year in the U.S. More than half of babies younger than 1 year old who get whooping cough need treatment in a hospital.

Polio

Polio (short for poliomyelitis) is a disabling, life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. It was once very common and largely affected children younger than 5. The virus spreads easily from person to person and can infect a person’s spinal cord, causing paralysis so they can’t move parts of their body. Even children who seem to fully recover can develop new muscle pain, weakness, or paralysis 15 to 40 years later. The paralysis can be lifelong and, in severe cases, deadly. Although vaccines kept the U.S. polio-free for more than 30 years, a polio case was reported in New York state in 2022 in an unvaccinated individual, highlighting the ongoing risk posed by the disease.

Pneumococcus

Pneumococcal disease causes thousands of cases of pneumonia and ear infections in the U.S. annually. Without vaccines, there would be many more cases. Pneumococcal disease ranges from mild (requiring no treatment) to serious and life-threatening. It causes ear infections, sinus infections, pneumonia and even meningitis, making it very dangerous (and sometimes life-threatening) for children. Some strains of pneumococcal disease have become resistant to antibiotic treatment, making prevention through vaccination even more important.

Rotavirus

Rotavirus is a contagious disease that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous — especially for babies and young children. Some children require hospitalization to replace lost fluids. Before the vaccine, most children had been infected with Rotavirus at least once by age 5. Vaccinated children can still get rotavirus, but they’re less likely to get sick from the virus.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease spread through person-to-person contact or through contaminated food and water. Children with the virus often don’t have symptoms, but they can pass the disease to others, including their unvaccinated parents or caregivers. These individuals can get very sick, with symptoms lasting up to six months. U.S. cases of Hepatitis A declined dramatically after a vaccine was released in 1995, but cases started to climb again in 2016, and the CDC has reported more than 44,000 cases nationwide and more than 400 deaths in the years since.

Here are other vaccine-preventable diseases that can easily spread to children who aren’t vaccinated:

• Chickenpox
• Diphtheria
• Flu
• Hepatitis B
• Hib
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Tetanus

If you wait until you think your child could be exposed to a serious illness — like when they start daycare or return to school in the fall — there may not be enough time for the vaccine to work. You should schedule an appointment for your child’s vaccinations as soon as possible to ensure they’re fully protected. And don’t forget your own vaccines!  When you’re up to date on booster shots for Pertussis (Tdap) and yearly flu shots, you not only protect yourself, but you also help protect the babies in your life.

Regence health plans cover most immunizations at 100% when you use an in-network provider. To find a doctor, clinic or other location where you can get vaccinated, sign in to your Regence account at regence.com or through the Regence app to use our Find a Doctor tool, or call the number on your member ID card. If you don’t have a Regence account, you can easily set up your account at regence.com to get personalized benefit and health plan information all in one place.

NOTE: This article was originally published July 2021.