Vaccines

Vaccines work by teaching your child’s immune system to recognize a specific germ before it ever causes a real infection. Some do this with a weakened or inactivated version of the virus or bacteria, and others use just a piece of it, like a protein, so the body can build defenses without getting sick first. That’s the difference between a prophylactic vaccine, which prevents a disease before exposure, and a therapeutic one, which treats a disease that’s already present. Almost every childhood vaccine on the schedule below is prophylactic. If you’d rather watch than read, this short video walks through the basics: How Vaccines Work. Below is a timeline of the vaccines the CDC recommends for kids from birth through age 18, grouped by the age they’re typically given. Click any age to open it up and see what’s due then. After that comes a set of travel and special-situation vaccines that aren’t part of the routine schedule but come up for specific trips, jobs, or health conditions. Every child’s situation is different. Talk with your pediatrician about the right schedule and any exceptions, especially if your child has a chronic health condition, a weakened immune system, or is behind on vaccines and needs a catch-up plan. This page reflects the CDC’s current childhood immunization schedule. A few vaccines below, including COVID-19, currently have different guidance from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Where that’s the case, we’ve noted it on that vaccine’s own page.

Your Child’s Vaccine Timeline

Birth

Hepatitis B

The first of three doses usually starts in the hospital within a day of birth, protecting your baby’s liver from a virus that spreads through blood and body fluids.

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RSV Immunization

Most babies are protected either through a maternal vaccine given during pregnancy or a single antibody shot called nirsevimab given shortly after birth, depending on timing and RSV season.

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2 Months

Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)

This one guards against a bacteria that used to be the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in young kids before the vaccine came along.

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Pneumococcal

Protects against a bacteria that can cause ear infections, pneumonia, and meningitis. Today’s version covers more strains than the original shot did.

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Polio (IPV)

The first of four doses that build strong protection against a disease that once filled hospital wards, now nearly wiped out in the US thanks to this vaccine.

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Rotavirus

Given as oral drops rather than a shot, this protects against a virus that can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea in infants.

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2, 4 & 6 Months (DTaP series)

Diphtheria

Part of the combination DTaP shot. Diphtheria is rare in the US today largely because most kids get this vaccine.

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Tetanus

Also part of DTaP, this protects against a toxin made by bacteria that can enter through even a small cut or puncture wound.

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Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

The third piece of DTaP, protecting against a bacterial infection that’s especially dangerous for babies too young to be fully vaccinated yet.

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6 Months & Up (Annual)

Influenza

The flu shot is recommended every fall for kids 6 months and older, since flu strains shift from year to year.

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COVID-19

Current guidance differs by source. The AAP recommends it for all kids 6 to 23 months, while the CDC treats it as a decision to make with your pediatrician for healthy kids.

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12-15 Months

MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella)

One shot, three diseases covered. The first dose goes a long way toward preventing outbreaks in schools and daycares.

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Chickenpox (Varicella)

Before this vaccine, nearly every child got chickenpox. Now it’s rare, along with the shingles risk that can follow it later in life.

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Hepatitis A

A two-dose series that protects the liver from a virus usually spread through contaminated food or water.

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11-12 Years

Meningococcal (MenACWY)

Preteens get their first dose here, with a booster around age 16, to guard against a fast-moving bacterial infection that can turn serious within hours.

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HPV

Two doses given 6 to 12 months apart at this age protect against the HPV strains behind most cervical and several other cancers later in life.

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Travel & Special-Situation Vaccines

These aren’t part of the routine schedule above. Your family might need one of these for an international trip, a specific job, an outdoor hobby, or an underlying health condition. Check with your pediatrician or a travel medicine clinic before you need one of these on short notice.