A child’s immune system is exposed to numerous germs every day. While babies are born with antibodies that offer protection against some diseases, the protection is temporary. Vaccines given from birth to age six help protect kids from viruses and bacteria that cause serious diseases. Many of these diseases are uncommon in the United States because vaccines are doing their job. During well-child visits, talk to your pediatrician about the recommended immunizations for children.
Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B virus is spread through blood or other body fluids. It’s especially dangerous for babies, since hepatitis B can spread from an infected mother to a child during birth—which is why babies should get the first dose of the vaccine shortly after birth.
Your child should get three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages:
- Shortly after birth
- 1–2 months
- 6 months
Polio
Polio is a potentially deadly infectious disease caused by a virus that spreads from person to person. It can invade the brain and spinal cord and lead to paralysis.
Vaccines have eliminated polio from the United States, but it’s still a threat in other countries. Making sure infants and children are vaccinated is the best way to prevent polio from returning.
Your child should get four doses of the polio vaccine (called IPV), one dose at each of the following ages:
- 1–2 months
- 4 months
- 12–23 months
- 4–6 years
Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough
Many vaccines are combined to help reduce the number of shots a child gets. The DTaP vaccine provides protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough—three diseases that can be fatal.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious infection caused by bacteria called Clostridium tetani that can enter the body through a deep cut or a burn. The bacteria produce a toxin that causes painful muscle stiffness and a “locking” of the jaw, which makes it hard to open the mouth or swallow.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that can cause a thick covering in the back of the nose or throat that makes it hard to breathe or swallow. It can also lead to heart failure and paralysis.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious disease that can be deadly for babies. The condition causes uncontrollable, violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. In babies, it can also cause life-threatening pauses in breathing.
Whooping cough is especially dangerous to babies who are too young to be vaccinated. Mothers should get the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy to pass some protection to their babies before birth.
Your child should get five doses of the DTaP vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages:
- 1–2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 12–23 months
- 4–6 years
Hib
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) tends to affect kids under the age of five. It can seriously damage a child’s immune system and cause brain damage, hearing loss, or even death.
Your child should get three or four doses of the hib vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages:
- 1–2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months (for some brands)
- 12–23 months
Pneumococcal disease
Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can cause ear infections, sinus infections, pneumonia, and meningitis.
Your child should get four doses of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13 or PCV15), one dose at each of the following ages:
- 1–2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 12–23 months
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is contagious and can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. Some infants and young children become severely dehydrated and need to be hospitalized.
Your child should get two or three doses of the vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages:
- 1–2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months (for some brands)
Measles, mumps, and rubella
The MMR vaccine provides protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Measles
Measles is highly contagious. In fact, a child can catch it just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, even up to two hours after that person has left.
Because measles is common in other parts of the world, unvaccinated people can get measles while traveling abroad and bring it into the United States. Before traveling, infants age 6 to 11 months should have one dose of the MMR shot. Infants vaccinated before 12 months of age should be revaccinated on or after their first birthday with two doses, each dose separated by at least 28 days.
Mumps
Mumps is a contagious disease that causes the salivary glands to swell, which results in puffy cheeks and a bloated jaw. Other symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pain, and tiredness.
In recent years, mumps outbreaks have occurred in the United States in settings that involve close, extended contact with infected people.
Rubella
Rubella is spread by coughing and sneezing and is especially dangerous for pregnant patients. Becoming infected with rubella during pregnancy can cause a baby to develop serious birth defects or result in a miscarriage.
Your child should get two shots of the MMR vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages:
- 12–23 months
- 4–6 years
Chickenpox
Chickenpox (varicella) can be serious and even life-threatening, especially in babies. The disease causes an itchy rash of blisters and a fever. (Despite the name, you can’t catch chickenpox from a chicken.)
Your child should get two chickenpox shots, one dose at each of the following ages:
- 12–23 months
- 4–6 years
Any child who gets chickenpox (or is exposed to the virus without experiencing symptoms) is at risk of developing shingles—a painful, blistering skin rash—in the future. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in the body and settles into the nerve tissue near the spinal cord and brain, only to reactivate as shingles years or even decades later.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that is transmitted through person-to-person contact or through contaminated food and water.
Your child should get two doses of the vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages:
- 12–23 months
- 6 months after the last dose
Everyone age six months and older should get a flu shot each year
Flu is a respiratory illness that can cause coughing, fever, aches, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. Each year in the United States, children are hospitalized with flu complications—and some die. Children younger than six months are particularly vulnerable because they are too young to get a flu vaccine.
The best way to protect babies against the flu is for the mother to get a flu shot during pregnancy. All caregivers and close contacts of the infant should also be vaccinated.
Children should get a flu shot every year starting at the age of six months. Those younger than nine years old who are getting vaccinated for the first time need two doses, spaced at least 28 days apart.
Immunizations protect kids from contagious diseases
Vaccines are an essential part of well-child care. In addition to being safe, vaccines have eradicated many diseases and continue to prevent other medical conditions from becoming life-threatening.
Some parents may have concerns about getting kids vaccinated. While vaccines may cause mild reactions, including soreness where the shot was given, serious side effects are rare. The risk of having a reaction is small compared with the severe health risks of the diseases vaccines are intended to prevent.
Additional sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 14 Diseases You Almost Forgot About (Thanks to Vaccines)
Nemours KidsHealth, Your Child’s Immunizations