February can feel like one big cycle of colds, missed days of school, and viruses running through the family. Hang in there! Spring is coming, and usually brings fewer flus and colds. Keeping our children safe from serious illness is a crucial job for parents. Immunizing them against infections and diseases is a proven, safe, and effective way to do that. Following a recommended vaccination schedule against contagious diseases protects them now and sets our kids up for a healthier future. Here’s a look at immunization recommendations.
I’ll start by reiterating that there is robust evidence to support the safety, effectiveness, and necessity of vaccines. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a vaccine schedule for when and how many doses children in the U.S. receive. Navigating the schedule might look complex at first glance, but it’s helpful to know it’s based on the times when vaccines work best with children’s immune systems and when they are most vulnerable to certain diseases.
I consider the AAP a trusted resource for parents who have questions on immunizations, along with discussing vaccines with your child’s provider. Let’s look at the vaccine schedule to better understand how you are protecting your child and why it’s recommended to start vaccines at these times.
Vaccines recommended at birth
- Hepatitis B is the first vaccine most babies receive, with the first dose within 24 hours of birth. Why? People who are infected with hepatitis B as a baby have a 90% chance of developing serious, chronic conditions like liver damage and liver cancer in their lifetime.
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is extremely common overall and is the top cause of hospitalization for babies, so the vaccine is recommended at birth and sometimes for pregnant mothers who can pass protective antibodies on to babies.
Vaccines for babies at 2 months
- Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine prevents serious illness from these three diseases.
We hear about DTaP, what’s it all about? Before we had a vaccine, diphtheria killed 1 out of every 5 kids who were infected. Awful, I know. Pertussis, also known as “Whooping Cough,” is characterized by a severe cough caused by bacteria damaging the airways. Babies with pertussis may need hospitalization and are at risk of death.
Tetanus is caused by bacteria already present in the soil or dust, usually from a cut or puncture wound. You can’t protect kids from getting cuts and scrapes out there, but you can protect them from a painful disease with a tetanus vaccine.
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine prevents several types of illness, some life-threatening, including ear infections, lung infection, and meningitis.
- Polio (IPV) vaccine prevents a disease that causes death and paralysis. Polio outbreaks still occur in the U.S., so unvaccinated children are at risk.
- Pneumococcal vaccine prevents disease caused by bacteria that can cause ear infections, pneumonia and sometimes sepsis, an overwhelming infection.
- Rotavirus (RV) vaccine stops the highly infectious virus that is the main cause of diarrhea in children.
Immunizations at 6 months
- COVID-19 vaccine, which we know is safe and effective. Children younger than 2 years old are at the highest risk for severe COVID-19 and hospitalization. The AAP recommends the COVID vaccine for all young children aged 6 months through 23 months. Beyond that age, it recommends the vaccine for children and teens with risk factors for COVID or whose parents want COVID vaccine protection.
- Influenza (flu) vaccine is for an unpredictable disease. You don’t know if your child will have a mild case, missing a few days of school, or a severe flu that needs hospital care. Annual flu shots are recommended for everyone.
Vaccines for toddlers (12–18 months)
- Varicella vaccine prevents “chickenpox,” and the Hepatitis A vaccine provides lifelong protection from a serious liver disease.
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine protects most people for life for these diseases with serious consequences.
Since we’ve recently had another outbreak of measles here, I’ll say a little more on measles. Nearly 1 out of every 3 children under the age of 5 who catches measles ends up in the hospital. The measles virus is quite contagious; it can remain in the air for up to two hours. It incubates for 10 to 14 days, so an infected person could spread it widely before the rash even appears. The vaccine lasts a lifetime with 97% protection against the virus, protecting you and your community.
Vaccines for school-age kids and teens
- Meningococcal vaccines protect older kids from a fast-acting disease that is life-threatening if it’s not caught and treated early, within a few hours. Infections are spread in saliva through close contact, such as coughing or kissing.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) prevents six types of cancer. Vaccinating kids against HPV when they are ages 9-12 years will allow them to build strong immunity against the virus before they are exposed to it. Here’s my guide to the HPV vaccine.
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster: The protection your teen got from their childhood vaccine starts to wear off around age 11. They will need a booster vaccine every 10 years as an adult as well.
Catch-up immunizations: What parents should know
Children and teens can catch up on recommended immunizations if there are doses or vaccines you missed, check with your provider. Immunization helps protect your child now from serious illness and can protect health over a lifetime.
