Your baby is born with some protection from illness because they get special proteins from their mother called antibodies before they're born. But it's temporary, and the antibodies slowly fade away.
As a parent, you treat bumps and bruises, and you soothe your baby when they're sick. Routine wellness visits often include immunizations, which are also called vaccines and are part of keeping your baby healthy. It's another important way to protect your child's health.
Immunizations contain a small amount of weakened or killed germs, or bits of lab-made germ protein. Germs are the viruses and bacteria that cause illness and disease. Vaccines can train your baby's immune system to fight off germs and illnesses to prevent infection.
Learn why your doctor recommends so many shots, about potential vaccine side effects, and how vaccines work.
What's a Vaccine?
A vaccine is a biological medicine containing harmless weak, killed, or pieces of germs that train your immune system to fight off serious illness. Your immune system can destroy germs using a type of tool called an antibody.
Antibodies can mark infected cells for your body to destroy and get rid of infection to keep your child healthy. And your immune system can remember how to make these antibodies, too.
Which Ones Does My Child Need?
The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend which vaccines your child gets based on their age. Your child's school or day care usually needs proof of immunization, too. So it's important to keep up to date with your child's vaccines for school and to protect them from illness.
The recommended vaccines for children 0 to 6 years old include:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Hepatitis B
- Rotavirus
- Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis
- Haemophilus influenzae type B
- Pneumococcal
- Poliovirus
- Hepatitis A
- Measles, mumps, rubella
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Influenza
You'll still discuss your choice with your doctor, so it's normal to have some differences. In fact, each state has different school requirements, and some vaccines (such as dengue) are only given to those at higher risk. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) still recommends the COVID vaccine for children 6 months and older, talk with your doctor about which one is available for your child.
Birth Through 6 Years
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Either the mother gets an RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) or your baby gets an RSV monoclonal antibody shot (nirsevimab) right before or during their first RSV season. And some babies may get a second dose as they enter the second RSV season.
Hepatitis B (Hep B)
The hep B vaccine prevents an infection that can cause liver failure and liver cancer. Your child gets three doses at:
- 12 to 24 hours after birth
- 1 to 2 months old
- 6 to 18 months old
Rotavirus (RV)
The vaccine can protect your child from serious vomiting and life-threatening diarrhea. It depends on the vaccine brand, but your baby gets two or three liquid doses at:
- 2 months old
- 4 months old
- 6 months old, depending on brand
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP)
The DTaP vaccine can protect your baby against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis):
- Diphtheria can block your child's airway and cause heart, kidney, and nervous system problems.
- Tetanus (lockjaw) can cause life-threatening damage to nerves all over your body.
- Whooping cough can cause breathing problems for your baby and a serious cough that sounds like a "whoop."
Your baby gets the DTaP vaccine in five doses at:
- 2 months old
- 4 months old
- 6 months old
- 15 to 18 months
- 4 to 6 years old
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
The vaccine protects your baby from life-threatening brain, spinal cord, and lung infections that can cause meningitis (brain swelling), deafness, and pneumonia.
Depending on the brand, your child gets up to five doses at:
- 2 months old
- 4 months old
- 6 months old, depending on brand
- 12 to 15 months old (booster)
Pneumococcal vaccine
Offers protection from pneumonia, meningitis (brain swelling), and a life-threatening blood infection. PCV15 and PCV20 can protect you from 15 or 20 types of bacteria.
The PCV15 and PCV20 shots are given in four doses at:
- 2 months old
- 4 months old
- 6 months old
- 12 to 15 months old
PPSV23 protects you from 23 types of bacteria but is used in older kids and teens.
Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)
Polio can cause permanent paralysis and life-threatening disease. But the polio vaccine can prevent it.
In the U.S., IPV can protect your child with four doses at:
- 2 months old
- 4 months old
- 6 to 18 months old
- 4 to 6 years old
Hepatitis A (Hep A)
The hep A virus can cause nausea, vomiting, jaundice, and sometimes sudden liver failure. Two doses of the vaccine can protect your child, between 12 and 23 months old and a second dose given at least six months later.
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
Each illness can cause different conditions:
- Measles can lead to serious brain swelling (encephalitis).
- Mumps can lead to painful swelling in the glands of your child's face, a high fever, and confusion.
- A rubella infection during pregnancy can cause serious problems for your unborn baby.
Your child gets the first protective dose between 12 and 15 months old and the second dose between 4 and 6 years old.
Varicella (chickenpox)
Chickenpox can cause brain swelling, toxic shock syndrome, and Reye's syndrome. But two doses can protect your child, with the first at 12 to 15 months old and the last dose at 4 to 6 years of age.
Influenza
Influenza can cause pneumonia or worsen your child's asthma. Your child gets their first flu vaccine at 6 months, then every year before the flu season begins. Some kids under age 9 may need more than one dose.
COVID vaccine recommendation
The CDC suggests talking with your doctor before deciding on the COVID vaccine in children, but suggests yearly vaccines for 18 year olds and up.
But the American Academy of Pediatrics still recommends that all children 6 months and up get the COVID vaccine every year. Talk to your doctor about which COVID-19 vaccine might be available for your child.
7 Through 18 Years Old
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)
This is a follow-up shot to the DTaP vaccine your child gets when they're younger. It's a booster your child gets between 11 and 12 years old to remind their immune system how to make antibodies to DTaP. They'll get this booster every 10 years, or five years if your child gets a "dirty" cut such as a puncture or dog bite.
Meningococcal vaccines
There are two protective vaccines against meningitis, a serious type of brain and spinal cord swelling.
Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). Protect your child from four types of meningococcal bacteria with the first dose between 11 and 12 years old and a booster at 16 years old.
Meningococcal B vaccine (MenB). If your child is over 10 years old and has a higher meningitis risk, the vaccine protects them from a fifth type of meningococcal bacteria. Otherwise, your child can get the vaccine between 16 and 23 years old after talking with your doctor.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV can cause genital warts and cancer of your anus, genitals, or in the back of your throat. The shot can protect your child after two doses, if the series is started before your child turns 14.
The HPV vaccine is usually given between 11 and 12 years old and can be started as early as 9 years old. But if your child starts vaccination after 15 years old, they'll get three doses over six months.
Influenza (Flu)
This is recommended every year to protect your child from this upper respiratory infection.
Why So Many Shots at Once?
Your baby gets so many shots at once because they're at the highest risk of infection. Babies' immune systems haven't been in contact with many germs, so they aren't strong yet.
Vaccines help strengthen their immune systems and prevent illness in two ways:
The right dose and age. Your doctor has carefully studied the right age and dose for each vaccine – and boosters. They balance your child's growth pattern with a healthy immune system to keep your child's development on track.
Prevent illness as early as possible. The vaccines are given early to prevent disease, so your child keeps growing. Without protection, your child may have a higher risk of certain illnesses that can delay development.
Why Is My Child Getting The Same Vaccine, Again?
More than one dose helps build up your child's protective immune response. It's like exercise for your child's immune "muscles." Without exercise, your child's immunity weakens, and their body forgets how to make certain antibodies and can't fully protect them against illness.
Just like your muscles get weaker without training, some vaccines fade over time. But "booster" shots help retrain and remind your child's immune system how to make germ-fighting antibodies.
If your child misses a dose, talk to their doctor about rescheduling. There's a "Catch-Up Immunization Schedule," so it's not too late to get protected.
Who Shouldn't Be Vaccinated?
Some medical conditions, your child's age, and immune system problems can mean your child should delay or skip certain vaccines.
Let your child's doctor know if your child has:
- Had an allergic reaction or serious swelling after a prior vaccine
- Nervous system problems, coma, or seizures
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
- A weakened immune system or is immunocompromised
- Asthma or lung disease
- Heart, kidney, or liver disease
- A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak
- A condition where they easily bruise or bleed
- Tuberculosis
- Had a blood transfusion
- A bowel blockage
- Taken aspirin or salicylate medicine
- Pregnancy
Talk to your child's doctor before the vaccine is given. They can help you decide what's best and let you know about potential side effects.
What About Side Effects?
As with any other medicine, vaccines can potentially cause some side effects. Although most reactions are mild and don't last very long, your child may:
- Be fussy or feel tired
- Feel sore or have red skin near where the needle went in
- Have a mild fever or chills
- Get achy joints or muscles
- Have a headache
Is there a link to autism?
A 2019 study didn't find a link between vaccines and autism after following about 700,000 vaccinated children for 10 years. Some people assume there's a link between the vaccine preservative thimerosal and autism spectrum disorder because symptoms show up around the same time your child first gets vaccinated.
But thimerosal has never been in vaccines for:
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Chickenpox
- Polio
When to call the doctor
It's rare, but serious side effects and allergic reactions can happen after a vaccination. Call your doctor and get medical help right away if your child has:
- Trouble breathing or wheezing
- Swelling in their face or throat (coughing)
- Ringing in the ears, dizziness, or vision changes
- Weakness
- A faster heart rate
- A rash all over their body
- A seizure
- Nonstop crying for three hours
- A fever
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or bloody stool (poop), which are signs of a bowel obstruction (intussusception)
What If I Don't Vaccinate My Child?
Vaccines help prevent your child from getting serious, life-threatening illnesses – they are a great way to protect and care for your baby. Without vaccines, your child has a higher risk of many serious or deadly diseases like meningitis, tetanus, or polio. If they get sick, they can spread diseases to unborn babies or others who aren't immune yet.
In fact, alternate schedules aren't formally studied, and experts think the skipped or delayed vaccines may help germs spread. And in the end, a delay now might actually mean more shots in the long run. Both you and your baby's doctor want to keep your child safe and healthy. Ask them about any concerns or questions, and together, you and the doctor can decide what's best for your child.
Takeaways
A vaccine is a type of medicine that contains harmless germ pieces to train your child's immune system to make antibodies that can prevent life-threatening diseases. Although vaccine side effects are usually mild, if your child has trouble breathing, facial swelling, a seizure, or signs of an allergic reaction, get medical help right away.
Vaccines FAQs
Do I have options to combine some vaccines?
Yes! You can choose to combine some vaccines like:
- Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) inside one shot
- The meningococcal ABCWY vaccine (MenABCWY) has all five types of meningococcal bacteria, if your child has higher meningitis risk.
Can my child still get vaccinated if they missed some before they turned 7 years old?
If your child missed some vaccines before they turned 7 years old, your doctor can give:
- Hep A
- Hep B
- IPV (polio)
- MMR
- Varicella (chickenpox)
Can my child get the dengue vaccine?
If you live in an area where dengue fever is common (an endemic) or your child had a prior infection, the dengue vaccine is recommended for 9- to 16-year-olds. They'll get three doses, six months apart.
Can my child get the Mpox vaccine?
The mpox vaccine can protect people who are 18 years and older and at higher risk. Higher risk can mean you:
- Were exposed to the virus or had sex with someone who was infected within the last two weeks
- Had contact with the virus at work (hospital, lab, or animal facility)
- Have higher infection risk factors such as men who have sex with men, a new STD, or multiple sexual partners
My child has a cold; should I skip the vaccination?
A simple cold usually isn't a reason to delay your baby's shots. But if your child is very ill, talk to your doctor – they may want to wait a while.
Is the vaccine preservative thimerosal risky?
Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative used in some vaccines since the 1930s, without harmful effects. But since 2001, all U.S. vaccines are thimerosal-free (no thimerosal), expect for some flu shots. But you can ask your doctor about using a thimerosal-free influenza vaccine.
