What age group does the CDC's catch-up schedule for vaccines apply to?

The CDC's catch-up vaccination schedule is designed to ensure that individuals who have missed their scheduled vaccinations can receive them at a later date. While infants and children under five years old are often a major focus of the vaccination schedule, the catch-up schedule specifically addresses children from the age of 4 through 18 years old. This means that it is crucial for preschool-aged children to have access to this catch-up schedule to ensure they are fully immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases before entering school.

Though infants are also included in vaccination guidelines, the catch-up schedule primarily targets those who are beyond the infant stage and into preschool years, where developmental milestones and school entry requirements become more pressing. This age group represents a critical period for vaccination to prevent outbreaks and ensure proper health during early childhood education.

Adolescents and older age groups may have different vaccination needs, making them less relevant to the catch-up schedule specifically intended for preschool-aged children. Hence, the best answer reflects the primary focus on that age range.