Although the list can vary between states, there is a standard roster of vaccinations that most children will need to get before they turn 18. Schools, camps, sports teams, and universities typically require documentation of certain vaccinations for a child to attend.
There are 12 vaccines recommended for all children that every parent should know about. They are listed according to the age of the first dose, as recommended in the CDC and AAP immunization schedule.
Hepatitis B can cause acute illness, liver failure, and cancer of the liver.
Types and Administration
The hepatitis B vaccine is injected into muscle in three doses. This type of injection is called an intramuscular (IM) injection.
There are two hepatitis B vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children.
They are called recombinant vaccines, which refers to how they’re manufactured. A bit of DNA from the hepatitis B virus is inserted into cells in a lab, which then produce a protein from the virus. The vaccine contains that purified protein, which stimulates an immune response in the body.
Additionally, there are two hepatitis B combination vaccines approved for the pediatric population.
Engerix: The first dose is given at birth followed by doses at ages 1 and 6 months. Recombivax: The first dose is given at birth followed by doses at ages 1 and 6 months. Pediarix: The first dose is given at 2 months followed by doses at 4 and 6 months. Vaxelis: The first dose is given at 2 months followed by doses at 4 and 6 months.
The infection causes severe watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite, and dehydration. In some cases, this can lead to severe acidosis and death.
Types and Administration
The vaccine is a liquid placed into a baby’s mouth using a dropper. There are two vaccines approved by the FDA that involve either two or three doses.
The rotavirus vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, meaning that it is made with a live virus that has been weakened and cannot cause disease.
RotaTeq: Three doses are given at ages 2, 4, and 6 months. Rotarix: Two doses are given at ages 2 and 4 months.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads from person to person through air droplets or by touching objects like toys or towels. Diphtheria causes a sore throat, fever, difficulty breathing, and swollen lymph nodes. Tetanus is a potentially life-threatening infection that causes painful muscle contractions. Also known as lockjaw, the infection is caused by bacteria that can enter the body through a deep cut or wound that becomes contaminated. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can spread from person to person through air droplets. The illness causes uncontrollable coughing fits that make it difficult to take a breath. The cough causes a literal whooping sound.
The Tdap vaccine also protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, though it is recommended for use as a booster shot after the initial DTaP vaccination.
Types and Administration
The DTaP vaccine is injected into the muscle in five doses. Young children typically receive the injection in the front of the thigh, whereas older children get it in the upper arm.
It is an inactivated vaccine, meaning that it involves a whole-killed virus that cannot cause disease. There are two DTaP vaccines approved by the FDA.
One dose of the Tdap booster vaccine is recommended for adolescents age 11 to 12 years.
Despite its name, Hib doesn’t cause flu. Rather, Hib infection can lead to potentially severe complications, including meningitis in the brain, cellulitis on the skin and underlying tissues, and epiglottitis in the upper airways.
Types and Administration
There are three Hib conjugate vaccines approved by the FDA. Conjugate vaccines contain both a weak and strong antigen, the stronger of which “boosts” the immune response to the weaker antigen (in this case, the inactivated Hib virus).
The vaccines are each inactivated vaccines injected into muscle.
ActHIB: The vaccine is typically started at 2 months of age. A second dose is given two months later and a third dose two months after that. A final booster dose is given between 12 and 15 months of age. Hiberix: The vaccine can be started as early as 6 weeks of age. A second dose is given two months later and a third dose two months after that. A final booster dose is given between 12 and 15 months of age. PedvaxHIB: The vaccine is typically started at 2 months of age. A second dose is given two months later. A final booster dose is given between 12 and 15 months of age.
Types and Administration
The CDC recommends three types of pneumococcal vaccinations, depending on a child’s health:
Prevnar 13 (PCV13): This vaccine is injected into muscle and protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria. It is recommended for all children. Vaxneuvance (PCV15): This vaccine is injected into muscle and protects against 15 types of pneumococcal bacteria. It is recommended for all children. Pneumovax (PPSV23): This vaccine is either injected into muscle or via a subcutaneous (SC) injection (that is, under the skin). It protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. Two doses may be needed for children with immunodeficiency, kidney failure, leukemia, or other serious health conditions.
Prevnar 13 and Vaxneuvance: Recommended for all children, the vaccine is delivered in four doses at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months of age, with the final injection given between 12 and 15 months. Pneumovax: For children at risk of severe illness, the vaccine is delivered in two doses. The first is given at least eight weeks after the Prevnar series is complete, with the second given five years later.
Polio infection can cause severe upper respiratory symptoms as well as poliomyelitis, a debilitating condition characterized by weakness or paralysis of an arm and/or leg on one side of the body.
Types and Administration
There is one polio vaccine approved for use in the United States. It is given either by IM or subcutaneous injection in the arm or leg.
Flu symptoms in children include fever, chills, tiredness, cough, and muscle aches, the duration of which can last for days or even weeks. Sometimes, the flu can cause severe complications, including dehydration, febrile seizures, meningitis, and sepsis.
Types and Administration
There are six influenza vaccines that are approved for use in school-aged children. One is a live vaccine delivered via a nasal spray (FluMist). The others are all inactivated vaccines given by intramuscular injection.
Children between 6 months and 8 years would get two doses separated by at least four weeks for their first vaccination. Thereafter, they would get an annual dose.
FluMist is only recommended for healthy children 2 years of age and older.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection spread by direct contact and airborne aerosolized particles. In addition to causing rash, upper respiratory symptoms, and spots inside the mouth, measles can lead to potentially life-threatening pneumonia and encephalitis in some people. Mumps is another viral infection spread by direct contact, saliva, and air droplets. Mumps causes fever, headache, fatigue, and characteristic swelling of the face and jaw. It can also lead to orchitis, an infection of the testicles that causes sterility. Rubella, also known as German measles, is caused by a virus that spreads through direct contact and air droplets. Rubella can cause rash, flu-like symptoms, and cervical lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes of the throat and neck). Congenital rubella syndrome, which is passed from a mother to a child, can cause birth defects and miscarriage.
Types and Administration
There are two MMR vaccines approved for use in the United States. Both are live attenuated vaccines delivered by subcutaneous injection (beneath the skin).
In severe cases, chickenpox can cause pneumonia, encephalitis, bleeding problems, and long-term hearing loss. Adults are more likely to experience serious complications than children.
Types and Administration
There is one varicella vaccine approved for use in the United States. It is a live vaccine delivered by subcutaneous injection.
Hepatitis A transmission mainly occurs through the fecal-oral and oral-anal sex routes. Usually, the infection lasts for several weeks and resolves on its own, but it may cause severe dehydration in children or adults who are frail.
Types and Administration
There are two hepatitis A vaccines approved by the FDA. Both are inactivated vaccines delivered into the muscle. Though interchangeable, the vaccines differ slightly in their composition:
Havrix: This vaccine, approved for use in 1995, contains a preservative and a higher concentration of inactivated virus per dose. Vaqta: This vaccine, approved in 1996, does not contain a preservative and has a lower concentration of inactivated virus per dose.
While some HPV infections will clear on their own without long-term consequences, others can cause changes to infected cells that, over time, can lead to cancer.
Types and Administration
There is one HPV vaccine currently approved by the FDA. It is a recombinant vaccine that prevents nine of the high-risk HPV strains linked to cancer.
All girls and boys between 11 and 12 yearsChildren as young as 9 if they are at risk of HPV infectionAnyone up to the age of 26 who has not been properly vaccinated
Most people over 26 are not advised to get vaccinated as they will likely have already been infected with HPV. Even so, vaccination can be considered up to the age of 45 on a case-by-case basis after careful consultation with a doctor.
Children who receive their first dose before age 15 should get a second dose six to 12 months later. People vaccinated between the ages of 15 and 26 should receive three doses—a first dose, followed by a second dose one to two months later, and finally a third dose six months later.
Bacterial meningitis can be very serious, often manifesting with fatigue, fever, and headache in the early stages. It progresses to neck stiffness, seizures, and coma as the condition advances. By this stage, death occurs in around 10% of cases.
Types and Administration
There are five meningococcal vaccines given by IM injection in the arm or thigh. Depending on the type, they may require one to three doses.
Three of the vaccines are inactivated conjugated vaccines, while the other two are recombinant vaccines.
Menactra and Menveo are recommended for all children 11 to 12 years old with a booster shot at age 16. Other children at increased risk can also be vaccinated. Those with immunodeficiency or who are under age 2 would receive two doses separated by two months. Bexsero and Trumenba may be given in addition to an inactivated vaccine for people 16 to 23 who are at increased risk of meningococcal disease. Bexsero is given in two doses separated by a month, whereas Trumenba is delivered in two doses separated by six months. During a meningitis outbreak, three doses of Trumenba are recommended. MenQuadfi is a newer vaccine delivered in a single dose that can be used in children 2 and older. It can also be used as a booster shot in people 15 and older who are at continued risk of meningococcal disease.
If your child is not being vaccinated due to vaccine costs and/or a lack of health insurance, financial assistance may be available.
There was an error. Please try again.
