Here’s What We Know: Vaccine Recommendations by Age Group
Vaccines serve to strengthen your immune system and protect you from disease. Knowing the vaccine recommendations for each age group ensures you and those you love can take advantage of the power of immunization.
“The list of diseases that are preventable with vaccines is long and growing, and that’s a great thing,” says Dr. David Laufgraben, board-certified general pediatrician at Weill Cornell Medicine. “Every one of these vaccines is important to protect your good health.”
Vaccine Recommendations During the First Year
Immunizations start at birth. Infant immunizations help protect newborns when they’re most vulnerable to viruses and other illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends giving the first vaccination against hepatitis B at birth.
They also suggest the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for children entering RSV season before reaching eight months of age. The RSV season lasts from the fall to the spring, and your child should be immunized before the season begins.
Sometime between turning one and two months of age, babies should also receive the following vaccines:
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP), first dose
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), first dose
- Hepatitis B, second dose
- Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), first dose
- Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV), first dose
- Rotavirus, first dose
A couple months later, babies should receive additional immunizations. Vaccine recommendations at four months of age include:
- DTaP, second dose
- Hib, second dose
- IPV, second dose
- PCV, second dose
- Rotavirus, second dose (depending on the brand, this may be the final dose needed)
At six months of age, your child’s immunization schedule includes:
- DTaP, third dose
- Hib, third dose
- Hepatitis B, third dose
- IPV, third dose
- PCV, third dose
- Rotavirus, third dose (if vaccine brand requires three doses)
The vaccine schedule for children six months and older includes an annual flu vaccine.
Recommended Vaccines from 1 to 2 Years
A few new vaccines are introduced between your child’s first and second birthdays. Staying on track with your child’s immunizations during this time will continue to protect against preventable diseases.
Vaccines your child should receive at this time include:
- Chickenpox, first dose
- DTaP, fourth dose
- Hepatitis A, first dose
- Hepatitis B, third and final dose (should be given by 18 months of age)
- Hib, third dose (depending on the brand, this may be the final dose needed)
- IPV, third dose (should occur by 18 months of age)
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), first dose
- PCV, fourth and final dose
After age two, your child only needs the flu vaccine until turning four.
Immunizations from Ages 4 to 12
Childhood vaccines become even more important as children reach school-age. Following recommendations from your pediatrician helps protect your children and others against health conditions, some of which can be life-threatening.
“A disease cannot easily spread through a community if there are few to no available people the bacteria or virus can infect,” says Dr. Sean Cullen, instructor in Pediatrics and Pediatric Scientist Development Program Research Fellow at Weill Cornell Medicine. “Therefore, the best way to help our most vulnerable children is to make sure those in closest contact with them who can be vaccinated are fully vaccinated.”
Immunizations needed from ages 4 to 6 include:
- Chickenpox, second dose
- DTaP, fifth and final dose
- IPV, fourth and final dose
- MMR, second and final dose
From this point, your child won’t need more vaccines for a few years. Use this time to catch up on any missed vaccines. At the same time, be sure to keep up with annual flu shots.
At age 11 or 12, it’s time for the following:
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, first and second doses given six months to one year apart
- Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine, first dose
- Tdap vaccine, a single booster for DTaP, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough)
Vaccines During the Teen Years
Along with maintaining annual flu shots and catching up on missed vaccines, all teens 18 years or younger should get their second and final MenACWY vaccine. This helps protect against life-threatening bacterial health conditions, such as meningitis.
Two doses of an additional vaccine, meningococcal B (MenB), offer protection from bacteria that cause blood infections and meningococcal meningitis. However, this vaccine is reserved for teens at higher risk of the disease.
The following put your teen at higher risk:
- Complement component deficiency, a rare immune system disorder
- Damaged or removed spleen
- Taking medication known as complement inhibitors
Teens who need the MenB and MenACWY vaccines can receive them in a single shot. Known as the pentavalent meningococcal (MenABCWY) vaccine, this single dose offers protection against five bacteria that cause meningitis and other meningococcal diseases.
Keeping up With Vaccine Recommendations Through Adulthood
Once you’ve reached 19 years of age, vaccine recommendations continue to include annual flu and COVID-19 shots. Get the vaccines early in the season for peace of mind.
“It is safe to get the flu vaccine at the same time or within days or weeks of getting the COVID-19 vaccine,” says Dr. Adam R. Stracher, chief medical officer at Weill Cornell Medicine. “We provide these vaccines at many of our locations, serving you whether you are healthy or moderately or severely immunocompromised.”
After age 50, ask your primary care provider for the following:
- Shingles vaccine, two doses
- RSV vaccine, one dose recommended for adults at age 75, or as early as age 60 for those at high risk
- Tetanus diphtheria (Td) booster, one every decade
Need help keeping up with vaccine recommendations? Find a doctor at Weill Cornell Medicine to help protect your health for years to come.