It is important for parents to consider providing their children with vaccinations to protect them from 16 potentially harmful diseases that can be very serious, require hospitalization, or even lead to death.
Remember that vaccinations aren’t just for children, and protection from some childhood vaccines can wear off over time. Adults may also be at risk for vaccine-preventable disease due to age, job, lifestyle, travel, or health conditions.
In the sections below, you will learn what vaccinations your children may need to stay healthy. Check with your family’s healthcare professionals to make sure everyone is up to date on these recommended vaccines.
COVID Vaccines for children and teens
Of course first on our list is the newest vaccine for youngsters. The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older and boosters for everyone 5 years and older, if eligible. Use the CDC’s COVID-19 booster tool to learn if and when your child or teen can get boosters and stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and dosage for children and teens, visit:
For information on an additional primary dose for children who have a weakened immune system, visit COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised.
Learn more about recommended COVID-19 vaccine boosters.
Birth to 6 years old
Before leaving the hospital or birthing center, your baby receives the first of 3 doses of the vaccine that protects against Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B virus can cause chronic swelling of the liver and possible lifelong complications, which is why it’s at the top of the CDC’s recommended vaccines for this age group.Infants and young children are more likely than adults to develop incurable chronic (long term) infection that can result in liver damage and liver cancer.
1-2 months old
Starting at 1 to 2 months of age, the CDC recommends that your baby receive the following vaccines to develop immunity from potentially harmful diseases:
- Hepatitis B (2nd dose)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Polio (IPV)
- Pneumococcal (PCV)
- Rotavirus (RV)
4 months old
Protect your baby by providing immunity early in life. Stay on track with the recommended vaccine schedule. At 4 months of age, your baby receives the following vaccines to develop immunity from potentially harmful diseases:
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Polio (IPV)
- Pneumococcal (PCV)
- Rotavirus (RV)
- Hepatitis B (HepB)
6 months old
Protect your baby by providing immunity early in life. Stay on track with the recommended vaccine schedule. At 6 months of age, your baby receives the following vaccines to develop immunity from potentially harmful diseases:
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Polio (IPV)
- Pneumococcal (PCV)
- Rotavirus (RV)
- Influenza (flu)
7-11 months old
There are usually no vaccinations scheduled between 7 and 11 months of age. However, if your baby has missed an earlier vaccination, now is a good time to “catch up.”
*Babies 6 months and older should receive flu vaccination every flu season.
12-23 months old
By following the recommended schedule and fully immunizing your child by 2 years of age, your child should be protected against 14 vaccine preventable diseases. Between 12 and 23 months of age, your child receives the following vaccines to continue developing immunity from potentially harmful diseases:
- Chickenpox (Varicella)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Polio (IPV) (between 6 through 18 months)
- Pneumococcal (PCV)
- Hepatitis A (HepA)
- Hepatitis B (HepB)
*Additionally, children should receive flu vaccination every flu season.
2-3 years
Between 2 and 3 years of age, your child should visit the doctor once a year for check-ups.
*Additionally, children should receive flu vaccination every flu season.
4-6 years old
Between 4 through 6 years of age, your child should visit the doctor once a year for check-ups. During this time, your child receives the following vaccines:
- Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
- Polio (IPV)
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Chickenpox (varicella)
- Influenza (flu) *every year
Immunization Schedule: Recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth through 6 years Old
7 years to 18 years old
Between 7 and 10 years of age, your child should visit the doctor once a year for check-ups.
*Additionally, children should receive flu vaccination every flu season.
11-12 years old
There are four vaccines recommended for preteens—these vaccines help protect your children, their friends, and their family members.
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
- HPV vaccine
- Tdap
- Flu vaccine *every flu season
13-18 years old
Between 13 through 18 years old, your child should visit the doctor once each year for check-ups. This can be a great time to get any vaccines your teen may have missed or may need if traveling outside the United States.
*Additionally, everyone 6 months and older should receive flu vaccination every flu season.
Immunization Schedule: Recommended Immunizations for Preteens and Teens (7-18 years)
Keeping yourself immunized is important, too
While we are on the subject of children and teens, it’s important to mention that adults have a very specific immunization schedule, as well! Check out the CDC website for adult immunization recommendations.
