CDC Vaccine Schedule

Today, vaccines are widely available to nearly everyone, with some being administered at birth. By 15 months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children have 12 different vaccinations, with several of those having three or four doses a piece. Additional vaccinations to protect against human papillomavirus (HPV), meningitis, and other diseases are administered once patients get older. If you are unsure when to get a vaccine or have questions about a vaccine, please consult with your primary care provider. Read on for our chart highlighting the CDC-recommended vaccination schedule.

Note: This chart, article, and information therein are intended for informational purposes only and are not medical advice. CDC vaccination guidelines may change often, so please visit CDC.gov for the most up-to-date information and, as always, consult with your primary care provider.

History of Vaccines

While the concept of vaccines can be traced back to ancient times, the first modern vaccine was created by Dr. Edward Jenner in 1796 after discovering that people were not falling ill to smallpox if they had previously been infected with cowpox. The influenza vaccine was developed in the 1940s after the disease had killed between 20 and 50 million people during the Spanish Flu pandemic. A version of the influenza vaccine was approved for military use in 1945 and for civilian use in 1946.

The polio vaccine, developed by Jonas Salk in the 1950s, led to polio being the first disease eradicated in some countries, though the disease has not been eliminated globally. Smallpox was fully eradicated by 1980, and no natural cases have occurred since then.

Vaccination Schedule

RSV Vaccine

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, can cause cold-like symptoms. However, the symptoms of RSV in infants and the elderly can be more severe. Iis recommended that everyone receives this vaccination within the first 6 months of life, though precisely when the vaccination is administered can depend on the vaccination status of the mother. It is sometimes administered during pregnancy when weeks 32 – 36 of gestation fall in peak RSK season, often between the months of September and January.

Hepatitis Vaccine

A hepatitis vaccine is part of the standard infant vaccine schedule; it is usually given as 2, 3, or 4 shots. Infants generally receive a hepatitis B vaccine at birth, with a second dose one month later,and a third dose at 6 months. Depending on the schedule used, the hepatitis B vaccine is usually completed at 6-18 months of age. Hepatitis A vaccinations are also available, and TWINRIX is an FDA-approved combined vaccine that prevents against both hepatitis A and B. 

RV Vaccine

RV, or rotavirus, is a disease that causes vomiting and watery diarrhea. It is most common in children, which is why the CDC recommends a childhood vaccine schedule consisting of two doses of the RV vaccine for infants at 2 months and 4 months respectively. The three-dose series occurs at 2, 4, and 6 months. These vaccines are administered orally.

DTaP Vaccine & Tdap Vaccine

DTaP is a combination vaccine that protects against diphtheria (D), tetanus (T) and pertussis (P). The CDC recommends five doses of the vaccine for children before they reach the age of 6, with the first three being administered at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months, the fourth sometime between 15-18 months, and the fifth being administered between the ages of 4 and 6 years. For an adult vaccination schedule, there is also a Tdap vaccine (different from DTaP, but the letters stand for the same diseases) that is recommended for adults to receive once every 10 years and for pregnant women.

Hib Vaccine

The Hib vaccine helps to prevent Haemophilus influenza type b, but it does not protect against other strains of H. influenzae bacteria. The CDC recommends administration in three or four doses for children, at 2 months, 4 months, and then a third between 12 and 15 months of age.  

PCV Vaccine

The PCV vaccine helps to protect against pneumococcal bacteria, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sinusitis. There are two types of the PCV vaccine: PCV15 and PCV20. By the time they have aged 15 months, infants should have received four doses of the PCV vaccine: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and one final dose between 12 and 15 months of age. In some cases, it is recommended that adults also receive this vaccine, though this is usually related to underlying medical conditions or a lack of receiving the vaccine in infancy. 

IPV Vaccine

The IPV Vaccine, or inactivated polio vaccine, is the only polio vaccine in the United States and has been recommended by the CDC since 2000. The vaccine is administered by injection, and it is recommended that infants receive three doses of the vaccine: at 2 months, 4 months, and a third before they reach 18 months. A fourth dose is recommended before a child reaches the age of 6. 

COVID Vaccines

At some point between the age of 6 months and 4 years, it is recommended children receive their first COVID vaccine. As new COVID-19 strains develop, it is recommended that both children and adults receive additional doses as the vaccines are updated to protect against those new strains. The frequency of these boosters is dependent on the brand of vaccine taken (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, etc.)

Flu Vaccines

As influenza changes rapidly, the CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine annually to protect against the latest strain. The IIV vaccine, or inactivated influenza vaccine, can be administered to children as young as 6 months. The LAIV vaccine, or live attenuated influenza vaccine, is not administered to children under the age of 2 years. Patients can choose the IIV or LAIV vaccine; the CDC offers no preference, though doctors may advise one over the other based on the patient’s medical history.

MMR Vaccine

The MMR vaccine is so named because it protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. The CDC recommends that children receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine when they reach 12 to 15 months of age and then a second dose between the ages of 4 and 6. The MMR vaccine is required for attending institutions for higher education, healthcare personnel, and traveling internationally.

Varicella Vaccine

The varicella vaccine is also known as the chickenpox vaccine. The CDC recommends that children receive a first dose between the ages of 12 and 15 months, as well as a second dose between the ages of 4 and 6. Adults who did not receive the vaccine as children are also encouraged to do so, as the symptoms of chickenpox can be more severe if contracted later in life.

HPV Vaccine

HPV is an infection that can lead to cancer. HPV is commonly known as a sexually transmitted infection, but it can be transmitted in other ways, such as through open wounds and abrasions. Therefore, the CDC recommends children receive their first HPV vaccine around the age of 11 or 12. Depending on the age when the first HPV vaccination was administered, young adults may need multiple doses. 

Meningococcal Vaccines

The CDC recommends children receive their first MenACWY meningococcal vaccine between the ages of 11 and 12 and a second one at age 16. This protects against four different meningococcal bacteria. Some infants deemed high risk may receive a meningococcal vaccine after 2 months of age and other high-risk individuals may require regular boosters. There are also MenB vaccines that specifically protect against serogroup B meningococcal bacteria. MenB vaccines may not be appropriate for everyone and require multiple doses.

Related: NYS Infection control course

Note: This chart, article, and information therein are intended for informational purposes only and are not medical advice. CDC vaccination guidelines may change often, so please visit CDC.gov for the most up-to-date information and, as always, consult with your primary care provider.