The following is the routine childhood vaccine (immunization) schedule from the CDC. There is also a catch-up schedule for children who are behind on vaccines, and a different schedule and some other vaccines for children considered high-risk for infection. Your child's healthcare provider or nurse can give you information about the routine and other schedules. Your provider will also let you know which vaccines can be given on a different schedule than listed below. For instance, the vaccines for 2-month-olds may be given as early as age 6 weeks. Your provider will discuss this with you.
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Vaccine
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Disease prevented
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Number of vaccines and recommended age for giving them
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Hepatitis (HepB)
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Hepatitis B. This is an infection that can cause chronic, severe liver disease.
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1st: Birth
2nd: 1 to 2 months
3rd: 6 to 18 months
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Rotavirus (RV)
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Rotavirus infection. This causes severe diarrhea in infants and children up to 2 years old.
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1st: 2 months
2nd: 4 months
3rd: 6 months depending on type of vaccine
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Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP)
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Diphtheria. This is a disease that causes inflammation of the throat and airways, which can block breathing.
Tetanus (lockjaw). This is a disease that causes severe, painful spasms of neck, jaw, and other muscles. It can cause death.
Pertussis (whooping cough). This is a disease that causes prolonged loud coughing and gasping. It can interfere with breathing and can cause death.
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1st: 2 months
2nd: 4 months
3rd: 6 months
4th: 15 to 18 months
5th: 4 to 6 years
Note: Your child also needs an extra dose (called the Tdap) at 11 to 12 years old. Your child should then get the Tdap or Td booster every 10 years throughout life.
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Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
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Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). This is a severe bacterial infection that causes lung infection (pneumonia), inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), and other serious infections.
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1st: 2 months
2nd: 4 months
3rd: 6 months (this dose depends on the vaccine used)
4th: 12 to 15 months
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Inactivated poliovirus (IPV)
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Polio. This is an infection that can paralyze the muscles.
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1st: 2 months
2nd: 4 months
3rd: 6 to 18 months
4th: 4 to 6 years
Note: People who plan to travel internationally should make sure they are fully vaccinated against polio before departure. If a child cannot complete the routine series before departure, an accelerated schedule is advised.
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Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
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Measles. This is a disease that causes ear infections and pneumonia.
Mumps. This is a disease that affects the glands in the neck. It may affect the testes.
Rubella (German measles). This is a disease that can cause birth defects in women exposed while pregnant.
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1st: 12 to 15 months
2nd: 4 to 6 years
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Varicella (VAR)
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Chickenpox. This is a disease that causes itchy rash, with fever and fatigue. It can lead to scarring, pneumonia, brain inflammation (encephalitis), and other serious infections.
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1st: 12 to 15 months
2nd: 4 to 6 years
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Meningococcal
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Bacterial meningitis. This is inflammation of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord. It can result in death. Two types of vaccines are available:
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Meningococcal conjugate vaccine, or MenACWY. Prevents meningitis caused by meningococcal bacteria types A, C, W, and Y
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Serogroup B meningococcal vaccine, or MenB. Prevents meningitis caused by meningococcal bacteria type B
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Pentavalent meningococcal, or MenACWY. Prevents meningitis caused by meningococcal bacteria types A, B, C, W, and Y
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MenACWY. Advised for all children; once at 11 to 12 years, with a booster at 16.
Catch-up vaccine may be given between ages 13 to 15 years, with a booster between ages 16 to 18 for children not vaccinated as a preteen.
MenB. May be advised for some children and teens over 10 years old depending on their health and risk. Talk with your child's healthcare provider.
MenABCWY. If a patient age 10 and older is receiving MenACWY and MenB vaccines at the same visit, MenABCWY may be given instead. Talk with your child's healthcare provider.
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Pneumococcal (PCV)
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Pneumococcal disease. This can cause ear infections, pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia.
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1st: 2 months
2nd: 4 months
3rd: 6 months
4th: 12 to 15 months
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Influenza
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Flu. Different strains of which appear each year. The flu can be serious, especially for very young children. It can result in pneumonia and hospitalizations.
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Yearly beginning at age 6 months.
2 doses are given for children who are younger than 9 years old and have never had flu vaccines.
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COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 most often causes a respiratory illness. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can result in a hospital stay.
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Experts advise COVID-19 vaccination for everyone ages 6 months and older. The specific vaccine and number of doses varies depending on age and risk. Talk with your healthcare provider to learn more.
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Hepatitis A (HepA)
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Hepatitis A. This is an infection that can cause sudden liver inflammation.
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1st: 12 to 23 months
2nd: 6 to 18 months after the first dose
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Human papillomavirus (HPV)
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Certain types of genital HPV infection, which is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), can cause genital warts and cancers of the anus, cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, or throat.
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1st: 9 to 14 years
2nd: 6 to 12 months after 1st
3-dose series if not started until after age 15 years
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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody nirsevimab
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RSV. This is a common virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. RSV can be severe in infants and can result in a hospital stay.
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1 dose for infants aged 8 months and younger born during or entering their first RSV season. Nirsevimab may also be recommended for some infants and children ages 8 through 19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season. Note: If 1 dose of maternal RSV vaccine was given during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy, immunization is not needed for most infants. Talk to your baby's healthcare provider to see if nirsevimab is right for your child.
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