Being up to date with childhood vaccines is essential for healthy children and a healthy society. These harmless, but highly protective, immunizations go into the child’s body and teach it to recognize certain diseases so that it can resist getting sick from them. By doing so, your child is better able to live a healthier life into adulthood.
One of the most infectious – and fatal – diseases is measles. As a part of routine childhood vaccinations, not only is your child protected from this deadly virus, but it also helps prevent the spread of the disease throughout the community. The same goes for diseases like diphtheria, tetanus pertussis, mumps, rubella and many others.
According to a 2023 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 250,000 children are currently at risk for getting and spreading these diseases because they are unvaccinated. And the rate of vaccination has actually decreased over the past few years. That means more and more children are at risk from these easily preventable diseases.
It’s easy for parents to get confused about when to vaccinate their children against various diseases. To keep your child’s vaccinations on track and avoid misinformation, always talk to your pediatrician about the vaccination schedule. Also discuss the age when your child should be vaccinated for COVID-19, as these guidelines continue to change.
Immunization Schedule
Here’s a recommended immunization schedule for children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Some vaccines are given in combination so children receive fewer shots and schedules may be slightly different at your pediatrician’s office depending on their well-child schedule and vaccine types.
Infant Vaccines
At birth
HepB: Ideally, children get the Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of being born. Some premature babies get it at one month or when they’re discharged from the hospital, whichever comes first.
1 to 2 months old
HepB: The second dose should be given one to two months after the first one.
2 months old
DTaP: Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough
Hib: Haemophilus influenza type b
IPV: Inactivated poliovirus
PCV: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
RV: Rotavirus vaccine
4 months old
DTaP, Hib, IPV, PCV and RV: Second doses
6 months old
DTaP, Hib, IPV, PCV and RV: Third doses
COVID: Initiate primary series
Influenza (Flu): Doctors recommend that children get a flu vaccine every year in the fall, starting when they’re 6 months old.
12 to 23 months
MMR vaccine: Measles, mumps, and rubella
Varicella: Chickenpox
HepA: Hepatitis A vaccine, given as two shots at least six months apart
DTaP, Hib and PCV: boosters
Influenza (Flu): Annual dose
COVID: Initiate primary series or booster
Early Childhood Vaccines
4 to 6 years old
DTaP, MMR, IPV and varicella: boosters
Influenza (Flu): Annual dose
COVID: Initiate primary series or booster if due
Teenagers and young adults
11 to 12 years old
HPV: Human papillomavirus vaccine, given in two shots over a six- to 12-month period. It can be given as early as age 9.
Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine: Protects against meningococcal bacteria types A, C, W, and Y.
Influenza (Flu): Annual dose
COVID: Initiate primary series or booster if due (booster for ages 5 and up)
13 to 18 years
Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine: booster
MenB: Meningococcal vaccine that protects against meningococcal bacterium type B. Two doses, preferably given between ages 16 to 18.
Influenza (Flu): Annual dose
COVID: Initiate primary series or booster if due (booster for ages 5 and up)
Making Shots Easier for Kids
Children can get stressed out at the prospect of getting their shots. You can take steps to make it easier for them. The CDC suggests the following simple ways to support your child through this process.
Be calm and honest. Simply and matter-of-factly explain that your child may feel a little pinch but it will go away very quickly. Use words like “sting” or “poke” instead of “pain” or “shot.” Model calm behavior before, during and after shots. Don’t apologize for the vaccines but you can show compassion for their discomfort. Stay positive and remind them how important they are for staying healthy.
Be a distraction. Call your child’s name, sing a song, tell a story or just act silly to direct your child’s attention away from the person giving the shot. You can also bring your child’s favorite things—a blanket, toy or book—to help them focus on something else. Check with the doctor before bringing things into the exam room with you.
Breastfeed if you can. With babies, breastfeeding can be a great way to calm and relax them, as it can help distract them and provide comforting close contact.
Don’t neglect the big kids. If your child is older, take deep breaths with them to help “blow out” the pain. Tell a story or point out interesting things in the room to help create distractions.
Bring something sweet. This can help reduce the child’s pain response.
Try a pain-relieving spray or ointment. A cooling spray or pain-relieving ointment on your child’s arm or leg can block some of the pain. Keep in mind, these treatments take a little time to work, so you will need to plan them well in advance of the shot.
Care for them after the shot. Calm young infants by swaddling them. Soothe older babies with hugs, cuddles and soft whispers. Your child may have mild reactions, such as pain and swelling where the shot was given or a fever. These side effects are common and should soon go away. Call the doctor if anything concerns you.
More to Read
- Should I Take My Child to the Emergency Room?
- Why is Respiratory Syncytial Virus Rising in Children?
- Food Allergies: How They Develop and How to Treat Them
- Back Pain and Kids
Medically reviewed by Esther Kim Liu, MD, FAAP and Rebecca Carter, MD, FAAP.
