Vaccines: Protection Starts Early

Childhood vaccination is important because it protects people against serious diseases well into adulthood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following immunization schedule for children:

Newborn to 15 Months

• Birth—Hepatitis B
• 1-2 months—Hepatitis B
• 2 months—Rotavirus, DTaP** (diphtheria, tetanus, whopping cough), Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), pneumococcal, polio
• 4 months—2nd dose of the vaccines listed above
• 6 months—Hepatitis B, DTap**, pneumococcal, polio, flu*
• 12 months—MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), chickenpox, hepatitis A, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), pneumococcal
• 15 months—DTap**

*An annual flu vaccine is recommended starting at age 6 months.

For those who fall behind or start late, provide catch-up vaccination at the earliest opportunity.

Note that the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older.

Ages 4 to 16

• Age 4-6—DTaP**, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), varicella/ chickenpox, poliovirus
• Age 11-12—Tdap**, HPV (human papillomavirus), meningococcal
• Age 16—Meningococcal

**The vaccines protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and whopping cough. They vary in dose only.