Since children are still growing and developing, their immune systems are far more susceptible to illnesses and infection. Immunization is a way to protect your child from a host of various preventable diseases and illnesses as early as possible and keep them safe from a young age. A standard and medically-accepted reference point for your child’s immunization schedule is the child immunization schedule that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes every year. The child immunization schedule refers to a list of standard vaccines your child should be eligible for. It’s a long list, and some parents may find it overwhelming. Read on to learn more about how many vaccine shots kids need and certain common vaccines for child immunization. You should always consult with your child’s pediatrician regarding immunizations if you have any questions.
How Many Vaccine Shots Does My Child Need?
Generally, a child should get their first round of vaccinations during the first two years of their life. By the time they turn 15 months old, your child should’ve received up to 10 different kinds of vaccines. These vaccines are given in many doses that your child receives as they get older when they become eligible to receive them. After the first rounds of vaccinations are completed by 15 months, other vaccines are then administered in stages until they turn 16 years old. If your child has a chronic condition or a weakened immune system, you should consult with your pediatrician to formulate an optimized immunization schedule that fits your child’s specific healthcare needs.
Vaccines In The Child’s Immunization Program
A child’s immunization schedule includes multiple vaccines, some of which require multiple doses at specific ages from the time the child is born until they turn 18 years old. Some vaccines and dosing ages as recommended by the CDC include:
- Hepatitis B (HepB): Three doses
- 1st dose within 12 hours of birth
- 2nd dose age 1-2 months
- 3rd dose age 6-18 months
- Rotavirus (RV): Two or three doses beginning at two months of age
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): Three to four doses
- 1st dose age 2 months
- 2nd dose age 4 months
- 3rd dose age 6 months
- Final dose age 12-15 months
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP): Five doses of combination vaccine
- 1st dose at age 2 months
- 2nd dose at age 4 months
- 3rd dose at age 6 months
- 4th dose age 15-18 months
- 5th dose age 4-6 years
- Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13): Four doses
- 1st dose at age 2 months
- 2nd dose at age 4 months
- 3rd dose at age 6 months
- 4th dose at age 12-15 months
- Inactivated poliovirus (IPV): Four doses
- 1st dose at age 2 months
- 2nd dose at age 4 months
- 3rd dose at age 6-18 weeks
- 4th dose at age 4-6 years
- Influenza: Your child can receive an influenza vaccine every year, but it is mandatory for them to get at least two doses of the vaccine
- 1st dose at age 6 months
- 2nd dose one month after 1st dose
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR): Combination vaccine, two doses
- 1st dose age 12-15 months
- 2nd dose age 4-6 years
- Varicella (VAR): Two doses
- 1st dose age 12-15 months
- 2nd dose age 4-6 years
- Hepatitis A (HepA): Two doses
- 1st dose age 12-23 months
- 2nd dose 6 months after the first dose
These are only the basic recommended vaccines; along with these, it is recommended for your child to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, meningococcal vaccine, and dengue vaccine (in certain areas).
Contact Us Today
If you have any questions regarding your child’s vaccine schedule, you should consult with your pediatrician. Call Sunlife Pediatric Network to schedule an appointment today.