New parents are often surprised by the number of vaccines their pediatricians recommend during their baby's first year of life. Most infants will receive multiple injections at each routine visit to the doctor, and it can be overwhelming to keep track of which vaccinations are being administered. This schedule, as recommended by both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gives you an overview of the typical vaccine layout so you know what to expect at each visit.
Birth
Newborns receive the first of three hepatitis B (HepB) vaccines soon after birth.
One Month
Your child's doctor will administer the second hepatitis B injection between 1 and 2 months of age, according to the CDC.
Two Months
At 2 months, your child's doctor will administer the second hepatitis B vaccine if your baby did not receive it at 1 month old. Two-month-olds also receive their first DTaP injection, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; the IPV vaccine, which protects against polio; the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine; the pneumococcal vaccine (PCV); and the first rotavirus (RV) vaccine, which is a liquid given by mouth rather than an injection, according to KidsHealth.org.
Four Months
Four-month-olds receive their second rotavirus vaccine, the second DTaP injection, the second Hib vaccine, the second PCV injection and the second IPV injection.
Six Months
At the six-month appointment, doctors administer the third DTaP vaccine, the third Hib injection and the third PCV vaccine. At 6 months old, babies receive their third and final rotavirus vaccine; however, if the vaccine brand administered to your baby at 2 and 4 months old is Rotarix, this third dose is not given, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children also receive the third hepatitis B and IPV injections anytime between 6 and 18 months of age, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children 6 months and older receive the influenza vaccine seasonally.
12 Months
As long as a minimum of six months have passed since the previous DTaP injection, babies can have their fourth DTaP vaccine as early as 12 months, states the American Academy of Pediatrics. Between 12 and 15 months of age, the doctor will administer the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella; the Varicella vaccine, which protects against chickenpox; the fourth Hib injection; and the fourth PCV vaccine. Children also receive two hepatitis A (HepA) vaccines between 12 and 23 months.
