In the United States, childhood vaccinations are a regular part of raising a healthy child. Immunization programs in place today have been successful in reducing the occurrence of certain childhood diseases including measles, polio and tetanus. Immunizations have also made diseases of the past like polio and diphtheria very rare. The Centers for Disease Control and prevention suggests a regular schedule of immunizations from birth to age 6 to protect your child.
Birth to 2 Months
At birth the first immunization should be administered--the hepatitis B vaccine--which protects against hepatitis B which can infect the liver and may lead to death. The second dose of this shot should be administered anywhere between 1 to 2 months of age. At 2 months, there are several immunizations that must be administered. These shots are the diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis, or DTaP, vaccine; the rotavirus vaccine; the haemophilus influenzae, or Hib, vaccine; the pneumococcal vaccine; and the polio vaccine.
6 Months to 18 Months
At 6 to 18 months, the final dosages of some vaccines started in earlier months end. These vaccines are the hepatitis B vaccine and the rotavirus vaccine. The DTaP vaccine will be administered twice, once at 6 months and then again in between 15 to 18 months. The Hib virus will be administered twice as well, beginning at 6 months and then again in between 12 and 15 months. The pneumococcal vaccine will be given at 6 months and again between 12 and 15 months. The polio virus vaccine will be given again in between the ages of 6 to 18 months. Starting at 6 months, the influenza vaccine should be given yearly. The vaccines to protect against measles, mumps and rubella as well as varicella should be started when the child is 12 to 15 months of age. The hepatitis A vaccination should be given in two doses during the ages of 12 to 23 months.
2 to 3 Years
At ages 2 and 3, the influenza vaccine should be given once annually. The final dosage of the pneumococcal vaccination should be given in between 2 and 6 years of age. During this time, the hepatitis A and meningococcal vaccinations should be administered as well.
4 to 6 Years
From the ages of 4 to 6 the final dosages of some vaccinations occur. These include DTaP, the polio vaccine and the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. The annual influenza vaccine should continue during this time frame as well.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Immunizations
- U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration: A Parent's Guide to Kids' Vaccines
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Vaccines: Why Immunize?
- KidsHealth.org: Immunization Schedule
- Immunization Action Coalition: Summary of Recommendations for Childhood and Adolescent Immunization
