Immunization Schedule

This schedule may vary depending upon where you live, your child's health, the type of vaccine, and the vaccines available. Some of the vaccines may be given as part of a combination vaccine so that your child gets fewer shots. Ask your doctor about which vaccines your child should receive.
Birth

* Hep B: Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV); recommended to give the first dose at birth, but may be given at any age for those not previously immunized.

1–2 months

* Hep B: Second dose should be administered 1 to 2 months after the first dose.

2 months

* DTaP: Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine
* Hib: Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
* IPV: Inactivated poliovirus vaccine
* PCV: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
* Rota: Rotavirus vaccine

4 months

* DTaP
* Hib
* IPV
* PCV
* Rota

6 months

* DTaP
* Hib
* PCV
* Rota

6 months and annually

* Influenza. Influenza vaccine is now recommended every year for children older than 6 months (instead of just the youngest, as before). Kids under 9 who get a flu vaccine for the first time will receive it in two separate doses a month apart.

Although young tots (from 6 months to 5 years old) are still considered the group of kids who need the flu vaccine the most, updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend that all older kids and teens get it, too (as long as enough is available).

It's also especially important for high-risk kids to be vaccinated. High-risk groups include, but aren't limited to, kids with asthma, heart problems, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

It can take up to 1 or 2 weeks after the shot for the body to build up protection to the flu.

6–18 months

* Hep B
* IPV

12–15 months

* Hib
* MMR: Measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles) vaccine
* PCV
* Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

12–23 months

* Hep A: Hepatitis A vaccine; given as two shots at least 6 months apart

15–18 months

* DTaP

4–6 years

* DTaP
* MMR
* IPV
* Varicella

11–12 years

* HPV: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls, given as 3 shots over 6 months. Also recommended for girls ages 13 to 18 years if they have not yet been vaccinated.
* Tdap: Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster
* MCV4: Meningitis vaccine; also recommended for younger children from certain high-risk groups, as well as 13- to 18-year-olds who have not yet been vaccinated.

College entrants

* MCV4: Meningitis vaccine; recommended for previously unvaccinated college entrants who will live in dormitories.

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: November 2008