Immunizations are designed to protect against serious illnesses ranging from polio and tetanus to measles, mumps, and flu. When children get behind on their vaccines, serious diseases can reemerge, causing outbreaks and even deaths.
With COVID-19 still a threat, it's more important than ever not to delay your child's vaccines.
Immunizations are one of the most important part of well-child checkups. To learn more about the illnesses immunizations can prevent, click on the links below.
How immunizations work
Immunizations are vaccines made from either weakened or killed versions of the bacteria or virus that cause a particular disease. When these altered viruses and bacteria are injected or taken orally, the immune system mounts an attack that stimulates the body to produce antibodies.
These antibodies remain active in the body, ready to fight off the actual illness if necessary. For example, if pertussis (whooping cough) breaks out in your area, an immunized child is much less likely to contract the disease than one who wasn't immunized. And if a child gets pertussis despite being immunized, the disease is usually much milder and less likely to result in serious complications.
2023 CDC childhood immunization schedule
Every year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) publishes a new immunization schedule showing which vaccines are recommended and when to get them. This schedule is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
COVID-19, to protect against the COVID-19 virus and its variants:
- Children 6 months and older are advised to have the COVID-19 vaccine in a 2- or 3-dose series. The COVID-19 booster shot may be recommended after they finish the series.
The CDC has an online tool to help you decide – based on your child's age, which primary series they received, and their health status – when your child should get a booster.
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DTaP, to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis:
- At 2 months
- At 4 months
- At 6 months
- Between 15 and 18 months
- Between 4 and 6 years
- A booster shot at age 11 or 12 years (Tdap)
Hepatitis A, to protect against hepatitis A, which can cause the liver disease hepatitis:
- First dose at 12 months to 23 months
- Second dose six at least 6 months after first dose
Hepatitis B, to protect against hepatitis B, which can cause the liver disease hepatitis:
- At birth
- Between 1 and 2 months
- Between 6 and 18 months
Hib, to protect against Haemophilus influenza type B, which can lead to meningitis, pneumonia, and epiglottitis:
- At 2 months
- At 4 months
- At 6 months (if needed, depending on brand of vaccine given at 2 and 4 months)
- Between 12 and 15 months
HPV, to protect against human papillomavirus, the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States and a cause of both genital warts and cervical, anal, and throat cancers:
- For girls and boys age 9 to 14 years old
- Two doses, 6 to 12 months apart
- If your child does not start the first dose by age 15, the recommendation is three doses. Dose 2 is given 1 to 2 months after dose 1, and dose 3 is given 6 months after dose 2.
Influenza (the flu shot), to protect against the seasonal flu, to be given each fall or early winter:
- One dose annually for most children age 6 months to 8 years who have received at least two influenza vaccine doses in the past
- Two doses (taken at least 28 days apart) for children 6 months to 8 years old who are getting the flu vaccine for the first time, or who have previously received only one dose of vaccine
- One dose annually for all children 9 years or older
Meningococcal vaccine, to protect against four types of meningococcal bacteria, which can cause meningitis and bloodstream infection:
- Between 11 and 12 years
- A booster shot at 16 years
Meningococcal B vaccine, to protect against a fifth strain of meningococcal bacteria. Most adolescents receive this vaccine, though it's not yet required:
- Between 16 years and 23 years (preferred age 16 - 18 years)
- 2-dose series at least 1 month apart or 6 months apart, depending on the specific vaccine
MMR, to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles):
- Between 12 and 15 months
- Between 4 and 6 years
- At least 4 weeks before travelling outside of the U.S., infants 6 to 11 months should receive one dose and children 12 months and older should receive two doses at least 4 weeks apart before departure.
Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine, to protect against pneumococcal disease, which can lead to meningitis, pneumonia, and ear infections:
- At 2 months
- At 4 months
- At 6 months
- Between 12 and 15 months
Polio (IPV), to protect against polio:
- At 2 months
- At 4 months
- Between 6 and 18 months
- Between 4 and 6 years
Rotavirus, (oral, not injection) to protect against rotavirus, which can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration:
- At 2 months
- At 4 months
- At 6 months (not needed if the Rotarix brand was given at 2 and 4 months)
Varicella, to protect against chicken pox:
- Between 12 and 15 months
- Between 4 and 6 years
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