As a parent, one of the most important things is keeping your child safe and healthy. Although the pandemic has created a sense of hesitancy around vaccines, they still remain one of the safest ways to protect your child against infectious diseases. But how do you know which vaccines your child needs and when they need them?
Here’s your guide to every immunization your child needs based on their age:
COVID-19
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone ages 5 and older. COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines may be administered on the same day. See the COVID-19 Vaccine Product Information page for additional information.
Hep B
All babies should receive the first dose of Hep B vaccine soon after birth, before they are discharged from the hospital, though babies born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative mothers may delay the first dose in rare circumstances.
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If a combination vaccine containing Hep B is used for the rest of the vaccination series, four doses may be administered: The second dose at least 4 weeks after the first dose, and the third dose 8 weeks later (and at least 16 weeks after the first dose.) The last dose should not be administered before the baby is 6 months old.
Babies born to HBsAg-positive mothers should receive the Hep B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin within 12 hours of birth at separate sites. The second dose is recommended at 1 to 2 months, and the final dose (the third or fourth) at 6 months. Children and teens through age 18 who haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis B can begin the series at any time. Babies born to mothers whose HBsAg status is unknown should receive their first dose of HepB within 12 hours of birth.
The mother’s blood should be tested for HBsAg status as soon as possible; if the test is positive, her baby should receive HBIG right away, and before the baby is one week old. The second dose should be given at 1-2 months. The last dose should not be given before the baby is 6 months old.
DTaP
The CDC recommends a series of five shots of the DTaP vaccine that protects against diptheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Children usually get their first shot at age 2 months, followed by shots at 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years.
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In the wake of a 2010 pertussis outbreak in California, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, voted to recommend that children ages 7-9 years who did not complete the recommended childhood series of DtaP receive a catch-up dose of Tdap.
Kids should also get a booster of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) at age 11 to 12 if it’s been at least 5 years since
