Pediatric Vaccinations and Immunizations

Vaccines and immunizations are necessary for protecting infants, children, teens and adults from serious and potentially deadly diseases. Children typically receive vaccines at various stages of their lives.

When Should My Child Get Vaccines or Immunizations?

By the time your child starts kindergarten (age 5 or 6), they should have received:

• Rotavirus (RV) vaccine (administered between birth and 3 months)
• Annual flu vaccinations (beginning at 6 months)
• COVID-19 (1vCOV-mRNA, 1vCOV-aPS)
• Hepatitis B vaccinations (HepB)
• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine
• Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib)
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
• Varicella(chickenpox) vaccine (VAR)
• Hepatitis (HepA) A vaccine

In addition to vaccines, some children 19 months and younger may need to receive an immunizing agent (nirsevimab) to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

Between ages 6 through 10, your child should have an annual well-child visit with their doctor and receive a flu vaccination each flu season. 

At ages 11 to 12, preteens should receive four recommended vaccines:

• Initial Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY)
• Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine 
• Annual flu vaccine each flu season 

At age 16, your child will need a second dose of the Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) and may also receive the Meningococcal B vaccine (MenB). 

From ages 13 to 18, it's important for your child to have an annual check-up with their doctor and receive their flu vaccine, along with any other vaccines they may have missed or need, especially if traveling outside the United States.