Pediatric Immunization Schedule (CDC/AAP)
The recommended childhood immunization schedule is updated annually by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The schedule below covers routine vaccines from birth through age 18. Specific timing may vary based on the brand of vaccine your pediatrician uses (especially for Hib and pneumococcal series), and your doctor may adjust the schedule for premature infants, catch-up dosing, or specific medical conditions.
Vaccines protect children from 16 potentially serious diseases — many of which were once leading causes of childhood death. Most childhood vaccines are 90–99% effective at preventing disease, and the protection from a few key vaccines (MMR, varicella) is typically lifelong. Common side effects (low-grade fever, soreness, fussiness for 1–2 days) are far less serious than the diseases they prevent.
Vaccines at Birth
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis B (HepB) — 1st dose | Given within 24 hours of birth |
Based on the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Always confirm with your pediatrician, as schedules may be adjusted for individual medical needs.
Vaccines at 1 month
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis B (HepB) — 2nd dose | Given 1–2 months after 1st dose |
Based on the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Always confirm with your pediatrician, as schedules may be adjusted for individual medical needs.
Vaccines at 2 months
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| DTaP — 1st dose | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis |
| IPV — 1st dose | Inactivated Poliovirus |
| Hib — 1st dose | Haemophilus influenzae type b |
| PCV15 or PCV20 — 1st dose | Pneumococcal conjugate |
| Rotavirus (RV) — 1st dose | Oral vaccine |
Based on the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Always confirm with your pediatrician, as schedules may be adjusted for individual medical needs.
Vaccines at 4 months
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| DTaP — 2nd dose | — |
| IPV — 2nd dose | — |
| Hib — 2nd dose | — |
| PCV15 or PCV20 — 2nd dose | — |
| Rotavirus (RV) — 2nd dose | — |
Based on the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Always confirm with your pediatrician, as schedules may be adjusted for individual medical needs.
Vaccines at 6 months
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| DTaP — 3rd dose | — |
| IPV — 3rd dose | Can be given 6–18 months |
| Hib — 3rd dose (if needed) | Depends on vaccine brand |
| PCV15 or PCV20 — 3rd dose | — |
| Hepatitis B (HepB) — 3rd dose | Can be given 6–18 months |
| Influenza (Flu) — annual | Start at 6 months; 2 doses first year, then 1 annually |
Based on the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Always confirm with your pediatrician, as schedules may be adjusted for individual medical needs.
Vaccines at 12 months
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| MMR — 1st dose | Measles, Mumps, Rubella (12–15 months) |
| Varicella — 1st dose | Chickenpox (12–15 months) |
| Hepatitis A (HepA) — 1st dose | 2-dose series starting at 12 months |
| PCV15 — 4th dose (if applicable) | If PCV15 was used; followed by PPSV23 if needed |
Based on the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Always confirm with your pediatrician, as schedules may be adjusted for individual medical needs.
Vaccines at 15 months
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| DTaP — 4th dose | 15–18 months |
| Hib — booster dose | 12–15 months |
Based on the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Always confirm with your pediatrician, as schedules may be adjusted for individual medical needs.
Vaccines at 18 months
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis A (HepA) — 2nd dose | At least 6 months after 1st dose |
Based on the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Always confirm with your pediatrician, as schedules may be adjusted for individual medical needs.
Vaccines at 2-3 years
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| Influenza (Flu) — annual | One dose annually |
| Catch-up vaccines | Any missed doses from earlier schedule |
Based on the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Always confirm with your pediatrician, as schedules may be adjusted for individual medical needs.
Vaccines at 4-6 years
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| DTaP — 5th dose | Booster before kindergarten |
| IPV — 4th dose | Booster before kindergarten |
| MMR — 2nd dose | — |
| Varicella — 2nd dose | — |
| Influenza (Flu) — annual | — |
Based on the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Always confirm with your pediatrician, as schedules may be adjusted for individual medical needs.
Vaccines at 11-12 years
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tdap | Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis booster |
| HPV — start series | 2 doses if started before age 15; 3 doses if 15+ |
| MenACWY — 1st dose | Meningococcal conjugate |
| Influenza (Flu) — annual | — |
Based on the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Always confirm with your pediatrician, as schedules may be adjusted for individual medical needs.
Vaccines at 16-18 years
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| MenACWY — booster | Booster at 16 years |
| MenB (optional) | Meningococcal B; shared clinical decision, 16–23 years |
| Influenza (Flu) — annual | — |
| COVID-19 | Per current CDC recommendations |
Based on the CDC recommended immunization schedule. Always confirm with your pediatrician, as schedules may be adjusted for individual medical needs.
Common questions about childhood vaccines
Are vaccines safe? Yes. Every vaccine on the routine schedule has been tested in tens of thousands of children before approval, and ongoing surveillance through VAERS (the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) tracks safety after release. Serious adverse events are rare — typically less than 1 per million doses for severe allergic reactions.
Can my child receive multiple vaccines at one visit? Yes. The infant immune system handles many antigens daily; the combined antigen load of all vaccines given at a typical visit is far lower than what infants encounter in normal life. Combining vaccines reduces the number of needles and visits required.
What if we fall behind? The CDC publishes a catch-up immunization schedule. Most children can be brought up to date over a few visits. Talk with your pediatrician — there's rarely a need to restart a series from the beginning.
What about religious or medical exemptions? Medical exemptions (severe allergic reaction to a vaccine component, certain immune disorders) are valid and rare. State laws vary on non-medical exemptions; talk with your pediatrician about the specific risks of delaying or skipping individual vaccines.
Sources & references
- CDC — Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule
- American Academy of Pediatrics — Immunizations
- CDC — Vaccines & Immunizations
These references informed the guidance on this page. They are provided for transparency and further reading; they are not endorsements, and this page is not a substitute for the advice of your child's own clinician.