Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsVaccines OverviewVaccine ScheduleSide EffectsAftercare Tips
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Vaccines Overview
Vaccine Schedule
Side Effects
Aftercare Tips
Overview of Vaccines
The recommendedimmunization schedulefor babies and children includes the following vaccines:
Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B vaccine protects against the virus hepatitis B.Hepatitis Bis a serious chronic liver disease that can lead to liver damage and liver cancer. Hepatitis B does not often cause symptoms, so it is possible to become infected without knowing it.
Hepatitis B can be spread through contact with blood and from childbirth, open cuts, sharing toothbrushes, or chewing food for your child. Possible side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine include a low fever of less than 101 degrees Fahrenheit and a sore arm after the shot.
Rotavirus
Therotavirusvaccine is available as oral drops and in two-dose or three-dose schedules. This vaccine protects againstrotavirus, a gastrointestinal virus that causesdiarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. This virus is most common in babies and children. It can be dangerous because it often leads to dehydration.
Rotavirus can be spread through the fecal-oral route. This means that individuals with rotavirus shed the virus in their feces, and when the virus particles enter another individual’s mouth, they can become sick. Children may be more at risk because they often place their hands in their mouths. Possible side effects of the rotavirus vaccine are rare and may include fussiness, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP)
TheDTaP vaccinehas a five-dose schedule and is recommended at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15–18 months, and 4–6 years. (A related vaccine, Tdap, is given at 11–12 years.) This vaccine protects the three diseases diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
Diphtheriais an infection that causes a sore throat, fever, and chills. It can also lead to a thick coating over the back of the throat that makes it difficult to breathe and swallow. Diphtheria is very serious, and it’s estimated that every one in five children with the disease dies from it.It can spread when a person with the infection coughs or sneezes.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a serious respiratory infection that causes severe coughing fits. It is especially dangerous for babies and young children. Early symptoms include a runny nose and a mild cough. They can then progress to coughing fits, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and stopping breathing. Pertussis spreads through the air when a person with the infection coughs or sneezes.
Most children do not experience side effects with the DTaP vaccine, but possible side effects include redness or pain at the injection site, fever, and vomiting.
Haemophilus InfluenzaeType B (Hib)
The Hib vaccine schedule includes four doses given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12–15 months. The Hib vaccine protects againstHaemophilus influenzaetype binfection that can lead to serious illness. Babies and children are most at risk of becoming sick from this bacterium and developing lifelong complications.
The most common type of Hib disease ismeningitis, an infection that affects the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Possible symptoms include a high fever, stiff neck, confusion, sensitivity to light, and an inability to eat or drink. Side effects of the vaccine are uncommon and may include fever or redness, swelling, and pain at the injection site.
Pneumococcal(PCV15, PCV20)
Thepneumococcal vaccineprotects against pneumococcal disease and includes four doses given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12–15 months. The first dose may be given as young as 6 weeks of age.
Most children will not experience side effects from the vaccine, but possible side effects include fussiness, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, chills, headache, and soreness or redness at the injection site.
Polio (IPV)
The polio vaccine is a four-dose vaccine given at 2 months, 4 months, 6–18 months, and 4–6 years. It protects againstpolio, a serious disease that can lead to paralysis. The virus affects the spinal cord and attacks the nervous system. Polio is very contagious and is spread through both respiratory droplets and particles in the stool. Side effects of the vaccine are not common and may include redness and soreness at the injection site.
Influenza (Flu)
Because theflu virusis constantly changing, the flu shot changes each year as well. Its protection wears off over time, so an annual dose is recommended. Possible symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, sore throat, cough, runny nose, headache, body aches, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Possible sideeffects of the flu shotinclude fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, and soreness or redness at the injection site.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
The MMR vaccine protects againstmeasles,mumps, andrubella. It requires two doses at 12–15 months and 4–6 years old.
Measles is a serious disease that causes a fever, rash, cough, runny nose, diarrhea, and ear infection. It may also lead to pneumonia, brain damage, deafness, and death. It is very contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets.
Mumps is also a serious disease that causes a swollen jaw, puffy cheeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, and swollen glands. Mumps is usually a mild disease, but it can lead to meningitis, deafness,encephalitis,orchitis(inflammation of a testicle), andoophoritis(inflammation of an ovary).
Possible side effects of the MMR vaccine include fever, mild rash, stiff joints, and redness or soreness at the injection site.
There is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.
Varicella (Chickenpox)
The chickenpox vaccine is available as a two-dose vaccine given at 12–15 months and 4–6 years old. It protects againstchickenpox, a disease that causes an itchy rash of blisters all over the body. Chickenpox can lead to serious complications and may be life-threatening in babies. It is very contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets.
Possible side effects of the chickenpox vaccine include fever, mild rash, stiff joints, and pain or redness at the injection site.
Hepatitis A
Thehepatitis A vaccineis a two-dose vaccine that is recommended at 12–23 months old and six months after the first dose. It protects againsthepatitis A, a serious liver disease. Children under 6 years old usually do not become ill from hepatitis A, but possible symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, stomach pain, vomiting, dark urine, and jaundice. Hepatitis A is spread through the stool of an infected person.
Possible side effects of the hepatitis A vaccine are soreness at the injection site, headache, fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite.
COVID-19
While many children who contract COVID-19 will only experience mild flu-like symptoms, some children may develop severe illness requiring hospitalization. It is spread through respiratory droplets and airborne particles and is very contagious.
Possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine include pain at the injection site, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
The vaccine schedule for infants and young children covers the ages of birth to 4 years. If your child has an underlying condition or is behind on their vaccine schedule, they may require their own unique vaccine schedule based on their individual needs.
Birth
The first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended at birth.
Verywell / Zack Angeline
1–2 Months
Vaccines recommended for children ages 1–2 months include:
3–6 Months
Vaccines recommended for children ages 3–6 monthsinclude:
6 Months to a Year
Vaccines recommended for children ages 6–12 months include:
1–2 Years Old
Vaccines recommended for children ages 1–2years include:
2–4 Years Old
Vaccines recommended for children ages 2–4 years include:
Potential Side Effects
It is possible for any vaccine to cause side effects. Common side effects include a mild fever and pain or redness at the injection site. Most babies and children experience only mild side effects, if any.
Possible vaccine side effects include:
Serious side effects are rare and must be treated right away. Seek emergency medical care if your child develops any of the following symptoms:
Vaccine Aftercare Tips
In addition to keeping an eye out for side effects, there are a few other things you can do to soothe your little one at home.
In most cases with older children, you don’t need to worry about post-vaccine bandages. Your child’s bandage will likely fall off on its own. If bandages are still present after two days, it’s OK to gently remove them. You may want to do this in the bath because the water will help to loosen them from your little one’s skin.
If you have a child under the age of 3, a bandage can present a choking hazard so you may want to remove it as soon as possible.
Giving your child Tylenol (acetaminophen) after their shots may help to relieve side effects like pain or a fever. The right dose for your child is based on their weight. Talk with your doctor when your child receives their shots and ask about dosing guidelines.
You can also try other home remedies to keep your child comfortable after their vaccinations:
Stay mindful of your child’s condition for a few days after vaccines are administered. If you notice any concerning side effects or changes to your child’s health, reach out to your child’s healthcare provider for guidance.
Summary
Vaccines help protect your child against serious diseases. The vaccine schedule for infants and young children covers the ages of birth to 4 years old, and the recommended vaccines include DTaP, pneumococcal, polio, MMR, chickenpox, COVID-19, and more. Most children experience little to no side effects from vaccines.
If you feel hesitant to vaccinate your child, schedule some time to talk with your healthcare provider or pediatrician to discuss your concerns and fears.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Pediatrics.All about the recommended immunization schedules.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diseases and the vaccines that prevent them.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria vaccines.Centers for Disease Control.Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine safety.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting your COVID-19 vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Birth-18 years immunization schedule.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Possible side effects from vaccines.American Academy of Pediatrics.7 Rights of vaccine administration.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Pediatrics.All about the recommended immunization schedules.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diseases and the vaccines that prevent them.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria vaccines.Centers for Disease Control.Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine safety.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting your COVID-19 vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Birth-18 years immunization schedule.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Possible side effects from vaccines.American Academy of Pediatrics.7 Rights of vaccine administration.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Pediatrics.All about the recommended immunization schedules.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diseases and the vaccines that prevent them.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria vaccines.Centers for Disease Control.Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine safety.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting your COVID-19 vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Birth-18 years immunization schedule.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Possible side effects from vaccines.American Academy of Pediatrics.7 Rights of vaccine administration.
American Academy of Pediatrics.All about the recommended immunization schedules.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diseases and the vaccines that prevent them.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control.Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine safety.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting your COVID-19 vaccine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Birth-18 years immunization schedule.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Possible side effects from vaccines.
American Academy of Pediatrics.7 Rights of vaccine administration.
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