When to Vaccinate Your Child

Vaccines are Given Out Throughout Your Child’s Life

One of the main goals of being a parent is trying your best to ensure that your child lives a healthy and long life. One of the most pivotal steps in keeping your child healthy is vaccines. Vaccines help protect your infants, children, and teens from preventable diseases that could become serious, require hospitalization, or possibly threaten their lives.

We have discussed the importance of vaccines previously, but many new parents may wonder when they should get their child vaccinated. There are many immunizations that your child needs in the early stages of infancy, but many vaccines need to be repeated throughout childhood and even into adolescence. Today, we are going to focus on when certain vaccines are needed.

Birth

Hepatitis B (HepB): Typically, before your baby leaves the hospital, they will receive their first of three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine (HepB). Infants are more at risk of developing chronic infections than adults.

1-2 Months 

HepB: In a baby’s first month, they should receive their 2nd dose.

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP): Your child should be given five doses of the DTaP vaccine throughout their life. The first should be given at two months.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): Three to four doses of the Hib vaccine will be administered throughout your child’s life. However, the third dose may not be needed, depending on the brand of vaccine.

Polio (IPV): Thanks to vaccines, polio has been all but eliminated. Your child will receive four doses of the vaccine.

Pneumococcal (PCV): The PCV vaccine should be given to your child in four doses throughout their early infancy.

Rotavirus (RV): This vaccine helps protect your child from diarrhea and severe infections that lead to dehydrating diarrhea in infants.

4 Months 

DTaP: 2 dose

Hib: 2nd dose

IPV: 2nd dose

PCV: 2nd dose

RV: 2nd dose

6 Months

HepB: 3rd (final dose can be administered at 9 months)

DTaP: 3rd dose

Hib: 3rd dose (depending on the brand of the vaccine of your healthcare provider)

IPV: 3rd dose (can be administered anywhere between 6-18 months)

PCV: 3rd dose

RV: 3rd dose (depending on the brand of the vaccine of your healthcare provider)

Influenza (flu): Most healthcare professionals recommend giving your child a flu shot every year once they are 6 months and older. The flu is highly contagious and, in extreme cases, can be deadly. 

12-23 Months 

DTaP: 4th dose

Hib: final dose (can be given between 12-15 months)

PCV: 4th dose (can be given between 12-15 months)

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Your child should be given just two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first can be given between 12-15 months.

Chickenpox (Varicella): The varicella vaccine should be given to your child twice with the first coming between 12-15 months.

Hepatitis A (HepA): The HepA shot comes in two doses that are given to your child within 6 months of each other anytime during this time period.

4-6 Years

DTaP: 5th dose

IPV: 4th dose

MMR: 2nd dose

Varicella: 2nd dose

11-12 Years

Tdap: A pertussis booster. Ask your child’s doctor if they need to receive a Tdap vaccine.

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MenACWY and MenB): There are two different versions of the meningococcal vaccine. The first is the MenACWY is given to preteens aged 11-12. Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening disease caused by bacteria that infect the spinal cord, blood, and brain.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Two shots will be given to your child within a 6-12month period.

16-18 Years

MenB: Should be given in two to three shots.

Vaccines are an extremely important tool for parents to ensure that their child lives a healthy, long life. While the importance of them has been long stated, not many parents are aware of what vaccines their child needs nor the schedule they should be given. Contact Tots N Teens Pediatrics to learn more about our vaccine services.