Pediatric Immunizations Overview

Guidelines for Childhood Vaccines

If you have any vaccination questions, please talk to your physician.

The DTaP vaccine is a 3-in-1 vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (whooping cough). DTaP immunization is usually a series of injections given to children when they are 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 months and 4 years old. DTaP is recommended unless there is a reason that the child should not get the pertussis vaccine (such as allergic reaction). In those cases, the child should get the vaccine for diphtheria and tetanus.

Tdap is a tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis booster. It is recommended that children get it at age 11.

Whooping cough immunity from earlier DTaP/Tdap doses fade as you age. This means that older siblings and parents can spread it to babies and younger children. By boosting your child’s immunity to whooping cough, the vaccine protects them and helps prevent infections in younger children who are more vulnerable. Talk to your physician about getting your Tdap booster as well.

This immunization protects against hepatitis B, a serious disease that can inflame and damage the liver. It can lead to liver scarring (cirrhosis), chronic liver disease and liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is one of the recommended childhood immunizations. Infection is spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of someone who has hepatitis B. It can also be passed from mother to baby in pregnancy.

The Hepatitis B vaccine is given as a series of 3 doses. The first is given to babies shortly after birth. Children need all 3 doses for the most effective and longest-lasting immunity.

The hepatitis A vaccine is one of the recommended childhood immunizations. It is a 2-dose series. This immunization protects against hepatitis A, a serious disease that inflames and damages the liver. Hepatitis A is transmitted by contaminated food or water.

The first shot is given to babies between the ages of 12 and 15 months.

This vaccine prevents childhood Haemophilus influenza B infections, which can cause severe and potentially deadly illnesses like epiglottitis or meningitis. Haemophilus B conjugate vaccine is one of the recommended childhood immunizations. The HiB vaccine protects against a specific bacteria, the influenza (flu) virus.

Some states require proof that a child has received the vaccine before they can start daycare or preschool. Children should get doses of this vaccine when they are 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 15 months old.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that can lead to genital warts and/or cancer. Because HPV can lead to cancer, it is important to prevent it.

The HPV vaccine protects against 9 types of HPV types. It helps prevent cancers of the following areas:

• Cervix
• Vagina
• Vulva
• Anus
• Penis
• Oropharynx (throat)

The HPV vaccine is given as a 2-dose or 3-dose series of vaccinations. It is recommended for children between the ages of 11 and 12. However, children as young as 9 can get vaccinated.

If a child gets the first vaccination in the series before they turn 15, 2 doses are recommended. The second dose is typically given 6 to 12 months after the first. People who start the vaccine series between age 15 through 45 need to get 3 doses.

The HPV vaccine helps protect you against HPV for years.

This vaccine is recommended for all children aged 6 months and older. For children under 9, the first time they get the flu shot, they will need 2 doses that are 1 month apart. After that, they will only need 1 vaccine a year.

For children older than 2, some physician offices may offer the FluMist® vaccine — a modified live viral vaccine. A clinician gives this vaccine through the nose. It does not involve an injection. Talk to your clinician about which option is best for your child.

Polio immunization protects against polio, a severe disease caused by the polio virus. Polio can paralyze people who get it. Polio vaccination is one of the recommended childhood immunizations. Vaccination should start when children are babies. In most parts of the U.S., a child must have polio immunization before they can start school.

Children should get 4 doses of IPV: 1 dose each at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 4 years. Children who have had 3 IPV doses before 4 should get a fourth dose before or when they start school. They do not need a fourth dose if they had their third dose on or after they turn 4.

This vaccine protects against some strains of bacterial meningitis (brain infection). Acute bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency. It requires immediate hospital-based treatment. This vaccine is a 2-dose series. It is recommended that children get the first dose between 11 and 12 and that they get the second dose when they’re 16.

This vaccine protects against another strain of meningitis bacteria. This protection is important for children with certain medical conditions or young adults living or socializing in group settings. This vaccine is a 2- or 3-dose series. It is typically recommended between the ages of 16 and 18.

The MMR vaccine is a 3-in-1 vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella — all of which are potentially serious diseases in children.

The MMR is one of the recommended childhood immunizations. The first shot is recommended when a child is 12 months old. A second MMR dose is recommended before children start school at 4 years old. Some states, including Illinois, require a second MMR dose before a child can start kindergarten.

This vaccine helps protect people from Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacteria that can lead to ear infections, pneumonias and meningitis. To get fully vaccinated, children need 4 doses of the vaccine. Pneumococcal pneumonia accounts for 10% to 25% of all pneumonias.

RSV antibody immunization is recommended for all babies under 8 months during RSV season (typically fall and winter) if their mother was not vaccinated between 32- and 36-weeks’ pregnant.

It is recommended for babies 8 to 19 months old who have high-risk conditions.

This vaccine protects people from contracting rotavirus. Rotavirus has been a leading cause of gastroenteritis in babies and children. Severe dehydration and death can occur in in children under 5 years old. It can also occur in adults exposed to children with the virus. Outbreaks may also occur in places with a lot of older adults, such as nursing homes. This vaccine is a series of doses taken by mouth starting at 2 months old.

The varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox, a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Chickenpox is characterized by a rash that forms blisters and is generally mild. However, some children can develop serious, even life-threatening, complications from chickenpox. The vaccine is recommended between 12 and 15 months and a booster dose at age 4.

People 13 and older who have not received the vaccine and have not had chickenpox should get 2 doses 4 to 8 weeks apart.