One of the most important things a person can do to protect themselves and others from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is checking their vaccination record and vaccinating according to the recommended immunization schedule.

Outlined below are the recommended immunizations by age group.

Baby Immunizations (Birth-3 years old):

Babies are born with immune systems that can fight most germs, but there are some deadly diseases they can’t handle. That’s why they need vaccines to strengthen their immune system.

• Hepatitis B (HepB) (birth, 1-2 months, and between 6 and 18 months)
• Hepatitis A (HepA) (between 12 and 23 months)
• DTaP (1-2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and between 12 and 23 months)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (Hib)(1-2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and between 12 and 23 months)
• Polio (IPV) (1-2 months, 4 months, and between 12 and 23 months)
• Pneumococcal disease (PCV13) (1-2 months, 4 months, 6 months,  and between 12 and 23 months)
• Rotavirus (RV) (1-2 months, 4 months, and 6 months)
• Influenza (Flu) (every year after 6 months)
• Chickenpox (Varicella) (between 12 and 23 months)
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) (between 12 and 23 months)

Child Immunizations (4-12 years old):

Without vaccines, children are at risk for getting seriously ill and suffering pain, disability, and even death from diseases like measles and whooping cough. It is always better to prevent a disease than to treat it after it occurs.

• DTaP (between 4 and 6 years)
• Tdap  (between 11 and 12 years)
• Polio (IPV) (between 4 and 6 years)
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) (between 4 and 6 years)
• Chickenpox (Varicella) (between 4 and 6 years)
• Meningococcal disease (MenACWY) (between 11 and 12 years)
• Influenza (Flu) (every year after 6 months)
• HPV (2 doses after age 9)

Teenager Immunizations (13-18 years old):

Parents can send their preteens and teenagers to middle school, high school and college protected by vaccinations against these four preventable diseases.

• Influenza (Flu) (every year after 6 months)
• HPV (if not already vaccinated)
• Meningococcal disease
  • Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) (at 16 years old)
  • Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) (2 doses between 16 and 18 years)

Have questions? DHD#10 is here to help answer your questions regarding immunizations in your child’s life (and adults, too).

For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html