This schedule may vary depending upon where you live, your child's health, the type of vaccine, and the vaccines available. Some of the vaccines may be given as part of a combination vaccine so that your child gets fewer shots. Ask your doctor which vaccines your child should receive.

Birth

• HBV: Hepatitis B vaccine; recommended to give the first dose at birth, but may be given at any age for those not previously immunized.

1-2 months

• HBV: Second dose should be administered 1 to 2 months after the first dose.

2 months

• DTaP: Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine
• Hib: Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
• IPV: Inactivated poliovirus vaccine
• PCV: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
• Rota: Rotavirus vaccine

4 months

• DTaP
• Hib
• IPV
• PCV
• Rota

6 months

• DTaP
• Hib
• PCV
• Rota: This third dose may be needed, depending on the brand of vaccine used in previous immunizations.

6 months and annually

• Influenza: The vaccine is recommended every year for children 6 months and older. Kids under 9 who get a flu vaccine for the first time will receive it in two separate doses at least a month apart. Those younger than 9 who have been vaccinated in the past might still need two doses if they have not received at least two flu vaccinations since July 2010.
  
  Kids 6 months to 5 years old are still considered the group of kids who most need the flu vaccine, but updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend that all older kids and teens get it, too.
  
  It's especially important for high-risk kids to be vaccinated. High-risk groups include, but aren't limited to, kids younger than 5 years old, and those with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, heart problems, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  
  It can take up to 2 weeks after the shot is given for the body to build up immunity against the flu.

6-18 months

• HBV
• IPV

12-15 months

• Hib
• MMR: Measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles) vaccine
• PCV
• Chickenpox (varicella)

12-23 months

• HAV: Hepatitis A vaccine; given as two shots at least 6 months apart

15-18 months

• DTaP

4-6 years

• DTaP
• MMR
• IPV
• Varicella

11-12 years

• HPV: Human papillomavirus vaccine, given as 3 shots over 6 months. It's recommended for both girls and boys to prevent genital warts and certain types of cancer.
• Tdap: Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster. Also recommended during each pregnancy a woman has.
• Meningococcal vaccine: And a booster dose is recommended at age 16.

College entrants

• Meningococcal vaccine: Recommended for previously unvaccinated college students who will live in dormitories. One dose will suffice for healthy college students whose only risk factor is dorm living.

Special circumstances

• HAV is recommended for kids 2 years and older who have not received the vaccine and are at increased risk of developing hepatitis A. This includes kids who live in states or will travel to countries where the disease is common.
• Meningococcal vaccine can be given to kids as young as 2 months old who are at risk of contracting meningococcal disease, such as meningitis. This includes children with certain immune disorders as well as those who live in (or are planning to travel to) countries where meningitis is common. This vaccine also should be given to teens 13 and older who did not receive it in childhood.
• Pneumococcal vaccines also can be given to older kids (age 2 and up) who have immunocompromising conditions, such as asplenia or HIV infection, or other conditions, like a cochlear implant.

Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: February 2013