Immunization Schedule and Lab Work for Healthy Children*
| Vaccine |
Recommended age at which the vaccines should be received |
| *Certain vaccines can be given within a range of ages. This chart represents one recommended schedule. Your child’s pediatrician may follow different guidelines. Please consult with your child’s pediatrician for specific recommendations. |
| Birth |
Hepatitis B |
| 2 months of age |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis*
Hepatitis B*
Inactivated Polio vaccine*
*(Pediarix -- vaccines listed above also can be given as a single vaccine called Pediarix)
Haemophilus influenza Type B
Prevnar (pneumococcal vaccine)
RotaTeq (rotavirus vaccine) |
| 4 months of age |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis*
Hepatitis B*
Inactivated Polio vaccine*
*(Pediarix -- vaccines listed above also can be given as a single vaccine called Pediarix)
Haemophilus influenza Type B
Prevnar (pneumococcal vaccine)
RotaTeq (rotavirus vaccine) |
| 6 months of age |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis*
Hepatitis B*
Inactivated Polio vaccine*
*(Pediarix -- vaccines listed above also can be given as a single vaccine called Pediarix)
Prevnar (pneumococcal vaccine)
RotaTeq (rotavirus vaccine) |
| 12 months of age |
Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella
Prevnar (pneumococcal vaccine)
Hepatitis A |
| 15 months of age |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis
Haemophilus influenza Type B |
| 18 months of age |
Hepatitis A |
| 4 to 6 years of age |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis
Inactivated Polio vaccine
Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella |
| 11 years of age to adult |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis
Menactra (meningococcal vaccine)
Gardasil, if female |
*Hepatitis B
Three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine are generally given – the first dose is usually given within 12 hours of birth, the second at about 2 months, and the third at about 6 months of age. Slight variations in this schedule are possible based on the mother’s hepatitis B surface antigen status and the potential use of combination vaccines. Your pediatrician will discuss these issues with you.
*Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
Five doses of the diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis combination vaccine are given, with the first dose usually given at 2 months of age, the second at 4 months, the third at 6 months, the fourth at about 15 months of age, and the fifth at about 5 years of age. Slight variations in this schedule are possible. Your pediatrician will discuss these issues with you.
*Inactivated Polio
Four doses of the inactivated polio vaccine are given, with the first dose given at 2 months, the second at 4 months, the third at about 6 months, and the fourth at about 5 years of age.
*Pediarix
Pediarix is a combination vaccine that can help protect against five serious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, and polio. Pediarix is typically given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
Haemophilus influenzae Type b
Four doses of the Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine are given. The first at 2 months, the second at 4 months, the third at 6 months, and the fourth at about 12 months of age. Slight variations in this schedule are possible. Your pediatrician will discuss these issues with you.
RotaTeq
RotaTeq is a vaccine that can help protect against rotavirus, which is a viral infection that can cause fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. The vaccine is given by mouth at three different times, each about one to two months apart.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella combination vaccine are given, with the first dose given at about 12 months of age and the second given at about 5 years of age.
Varicella
Two doses of the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine are usually given at about 12 months of age and at 4 to 6 years of age.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
Four doses of the pneumococcal vaccine are usually given. The first is given at 2 months of age, the second at 4 months, the third at 6 months, and the fourth at about 12 months of age.
Hepatitis A
The hepatitis A vaccine is given to protect against one type of hepatitis, hepatitis A. Hepatitis is a type of liver disease. The vaccine is typically given as a two-dose series, with the first shot given at the age of 1 and the second around 6 months later.
Menactra
Menactra is a vaccine given to protect against meningococcal disease, which is a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis—severe swelling of the brain and spinal cord. It can also lead to sepsis—a dangerous and potentially life-threatening blood infection.
Gardasil
Gardasil is a vaccine given to help protect against diseases caused by certain types of human papillomavirus. These diseases include:
- Cervical cancer (cancer of the lower end of the uterus or womb)
- Abnormal and precancerous cervical lesions
- Abnormal and precancerous vaginal lesions
- Abnormal and precancerous vulvar lesions
- Genital warts
The Gardasil vaccine is given in three doses, ideally as:
- First dose: at a date you and your health care professional choose
- Second dose: 2 months after the first dose
- Third dose: 6 months after the first dose
Other vaccines
Additional vaccines may be recommended for certain children at high risk. Your pediatrician will advise you about the need for these vaccines as well as provide a revised vaccination schedule for those patients who miss receiving a vaccine at the recommended time frames.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. For additional written health information, please contact the Health Information Center at the Cleveland Clinic 216.444.3771 or toll-free 800.223.2273 extension 4-3771. This document was last reviewed on: 8/13/2007
