Childhood Vaccination Schedule

Ensuring your child gets vaccinated on time protects them from severe diseases like polio, pertussis, measles, and influenza. Experts have developed immunization schedules for different age groups. Do not delay vaccinations unless advised by a doctor. Vaccines are crucial tools to prevent severe diseases—pediatricians have saved countless lives through vaccination. Vaccines help the body produce antibodies to prevent diseases, reducing the likelihood and severity of infections. Learn more about the latest vaccination schedule and immunization information for your baby.

2025 CDC Childhood Immunization Schedule

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updates the recommended vaccination schedule annually, supported by multiple medical organizations. For immunocompromised children or those who missed doses, consult a doctor for a personalized catch-up plan. Before traveling abroad, also consult a pediatrician to ensure proper protection against diseases in the destination.

Below are the latest recommended vaccines and schedules:

COVID-19 (to prevent COVID-19 and its variants)

• Children aged 6 months to 4 years can receive the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine, requiring 2–3 doses: 2 doses of Moderna or 3 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech.
• Children aged 6 months to 4 years who have received 1 or more doses of Moderna should get the 2024–2025 Moderna vaccine; those who received Pfizer previously should get 2 doses of the 2024–2025 Pfizer vaccine. If they’ve had 2 or more Pfizer doses, only 1 dose of the 2024–2025 vaccine is needed.
• Unvaccinated children aged 5–11 should get 1 dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. Previously vaccinated children should ensure at least 8 weeks between doses.
• Unvaccinated children aged 12–18 should get 1 dose of the latest Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or 2 doses of Novavax. Previously vaccinated children should get 1 or more doses based on the vaccine brand and last dose time.

Annual COVID-19 vaccination for family members is important as vaccine efficacy decreases over time. The CDC provides information on staying updated to reduce the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Consult your child’s healthcare provider if in doubt.

DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), 5 doses:

• At 2 months
• At 4 months
• At 6 months
• Between 15–18 months
• Between 4–6 years

Hepatitis A (prevents hepatitis A, a liver disease):

• 1st dose at 12–23 months
• 2nd dose at least 6 months after the 1st

Hepatitis B (prevents hepatitis B, a liver disease):

If you tested negative for hepatitis B during pregnancy, your baby should be vaccinated:

• At birth
• Between 1–2 months
• Between 6–18 months

If you tested positive during pregnancy, your baby should receive the hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) within 12 hours of birth.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (prevents Hib, which can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and epiglottitis):

• At 2 months
• At 4 months
• At 6 months (if needed, depending on the vaccine brand given at 2 and 4 months)
• Between 12–15 months

Human papillomavirus (HPV) (prevents HPV, a sexually transmitted disease causing genital warts and cancers). Dr. Dezur notes it’s the only vaccine that prevents cancer, recommended for both boys and girls before sexual activity:

• Aged 9–14 (preferably 11–12): 2 doses, 6–12 months apart
• If the 1st dose is given after age 15, 3 doses are recommended: 2nd dose 1–2 months after the 1st, 3rd dose 6 months after the 2nd

Influenza (flu vaccine), annual in fall or early winter:

• Most children aged 6 months to 8 years who have received at least 2 flu vaccine doses in the past: 1 dose annually
• Children aged 6 months to 8 years getting the flu vaccine for the 1st time or having only 1 previous dose: 2 doses (at least 28 days apart)
• Children aged 9+ years: 1 dose annually

Meningococcal (prevents four types of meningococcal bacteria causing meningitis and blood infections):

• Between 11–12 years
• Booster dose at 16 years

Meningococcal B (prevents the fifth meningococcal strain, mostly given to adolescents, not yet mandatory):

• Between 16–23 years (preferably 16–18 years)
• 2 doses, at least 6 months apart

MMR (measles, mumps, rubella):

• Between 12–15 months
• Between 4–6 years
• You can also choose the MMRV (MMR + varicella) vaccine, which also prevents chickenpox.
• For travel outside the U.S., infants aged 6–11 months should get 1 dose at least 4 weeks before departure; children aged 12+ months should get 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart before departure.
• If traveling to a measles outbreak area and your baby is under 1 year, consult a healthcare provider about getting the 1st dose early.

Pneumococcal (PCV) (prevents pneumococcal diseases causing meningitis, pneumonia, and ear infections):

• At 2 months
• At 4 months
• At 6 months
• Between 12–15 months

Polio (inactivated polio vaccine):

• At 2 months
• At 4 months
• Between 6–18 months
• Between 4–6 years

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (a protective antibody against RSV, which causes bronchiolitis and pneumonia, given once during the 1st RSV season (usually October–March). Timing and eligibility depend on the mother’s RSV immunity:

• If you received the RSV vaccine more than 2 weeks before delivery, your baby gets 6 months of protection and doesn’t need the RSV monoclonal antibody.
• If you received the RSV vaccine within 2 weeks of delivery or not at all, the newborn has no RSV protection and should get nirsevimab in the 1st week of life or during hospitalization. If born outside RSV season and not vaccinated in the hospital, they can get it before the 1st RSV season in autumn.
• Only high-risk infants are eligible for the vaccine in the 2nd RSV season.

Rotavirus (oral, not injected) (prevents rotavirus infection, causing severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration):

• At 2 months
• At 4 months
• At 6 months (not needed if Rotarix was given at 2 and 4 months)

Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis booster):

• Between 11–12 years

Varicella (chickenpox):

• Between 12–15 months

Following the recommended vaccination plan under a pediatrician’s guidance lays the foundation for your baby’s healthy life and helps protect them from a range of preventable diseases. The CDC publishes the immunization schedule annually to guide childhood vaccinations. Healthcare providers administer vaccines per the schedule during well-child checks. Vaccines help the body produce antibodies, reducing disease risk and severity. If your child misses doses, has special health conditions, or plans to travel, discuss with a doctor.