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Vaccines: Keep your child's shots on track
Ages 2 to 3 years
For healthy children ages 2 years and older, the yearly influenza vaccine can be given as a shot or a nasal spray.
Children between ages 14 months and 59 months (4 years, 11 months) who completed the PCV series with a previous version of the vaccine may need a single additional dose of the new version (PCV13) — as long as it's been eight weeks since the most recent dose of PCV.
- Hepatitis A vaccine, if needed
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), if needed
- Influenza vaccine, once a year
Ages 4 to 6 years
The final doses of DTaP, IPV, MMR and varicella vaccines are usually given before a child begins kindergarten.
- Diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, fifth dose
- Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), fourth dose
- Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, second dose
- Varicella vaccine, second dose
- Influenza vaccine, once a year
Ages 7 to 10 years
Children who are behind schedule or have missed one or more doses of vaccines may need catch-up vaccinations. For example, children who haven't been fully vaccinated against pertussis need a dose of Tdap. Ask your child's doctor if your child needs any catch-up vaccinations.
- Influenza vaccine, once a year
Ages 11 to 12 years
Single doses of Tdap and MCV4 are recommended for adolescents at age 11 or 12 years. In addition, HPV vaccination is recommended for both boys and girls at age 11 or 12 — although it can be given as early as age 9. It's given as a series of three injections over a six-month period.
- Tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine, one dose
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4), one dose
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, three doses over six months
- Influenza vaccine, once a year
Ages 16 to 18 years
A booster dose of MCV4 is recommended for adolescents at age 16 years. An additional dose of Tdap is recommended for adolescents who are pregnant, regardless of the number of years since prior Tdap or tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) vaccination.
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4), booster
- Tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine, during pregnancy
- Influenza vaccine, once a year
(2 of 2)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons Aged 0 Through 18 years and Adults Aged 19 Years and Older — United States, 2013. MMWR. 2013;62:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm62e0128a1.htm. Accessed Jan. 29, 2013.
- The childhood immunization schedule and safety: Stakeholder concerns, scientific evidence, and future studies. Institute of Medicine. http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2013/The-Childhood-Immunization-Schedule-and-Safety.aspx. Accessed Jan. 29, 2013.
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