How to book in United States
Vaccinations are given by your child's pediatrician or family doctor, at many pharmacies, and at public health clinics. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program covers the cost for eligible children. Ask your provider to review your child's record at every well-child visit.
Vaccines.gov - find vaccines near youTap any milestone to expand it. Each vaccine explains what it is, the diseases it prevents, and why it is given at that age.
BirthNewborn1 vaccine
Given in the first 24 hours of life. Newborns who catch hepatitis B are very likely to develop lifelong liver infection, so protection starts on day one.
1 to 2 monthsNewborn1 vaccine
The second hepatitis B dose, usually given at the 1- or 2-month visit.
2 monthsNewborn5 vaccines
Protects against three bacterial diseases. Whooping cough is especially dangerous for young babies, which is why the series starts early.
Before this vaccine Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in young US children. It is now rare.
A killed-virus polio vaccine - it cannot cause polio and keeps the US polio-free.
Protects against many strains of pneumococcus, a common cause of ear infections, pneumonia and meningitis in small children.
Oral drops, no needle. Rotavirus causes severe diarrhea and vomiting and used to hospitalize tens of thousands of US infants a year.
Must start before 15 weeks of age. Either a 2-dose or 3-dose brand may be used.
4 monthsNewborn5 vaccines
Second dose of the DTaP series.
Second Hib dose.
Second polio dose.
Second pneumococcal dose.
Second rotavirus dose.
6 monthsInfant5 vaccines
Third DTaP dose, completing the early series.
Third pneumococcal dose.
The third doses of Hib (brand-dependent), polio and hepatitis B are given somewhere between 6 and 18 months, often at this visit.
Recommended every year for everyone 6 months and older. Children under 9 getting flu vaccine for the first time need two doses a month apart.
CDC recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination in children are updated regularly - check the current guidance with your pediatrician.
12 to 15 monthsToddler5 vaccines
First measles, mumps and rubella dose. Measles is extremely contagious and can be serious, so this is one of the most important childhood vaccines.
Prevents chickenpox, which is usually mild but can cause skin infections, pneumonia and, rarely, brain swelling.
Two doses six months apart protect against hepatitis A, a liver infection spread through contaminated food and water.
A booster around the first birthday that locks in long-term Hib protection.
The final pneumococcal dose.
15 to 18 monthsToddler2 vaccines
Fourth DTaP dose.
The second hepatitis A dose, at least six months after the first.
4 to 6 yearsChild4 vaccines
The final childhood DTaP dose, given before kindergarten.
The final polio dose.
The second MMR dose, needed for school entry and for full lasting protection.
The second chickenpox dose.
11 to 12 yearsTeen3 vaccines
A single booster that refreshes protection and helps stop teens passing whooping cough to babies.
Protects against the virus that causes almost all cervical cancer and several other cancers. Two doses 6-12 months apart when started before the 15th birthday; three doses if started later.
Protects against four groups of meningococcal bacteria that cause meningitis and bloodstream infection in adolescents.
16 yearsTeen2 vaccines
A booster at 16 so protection is strong through the higher-risk college years.
May be given to 16-23 year-olds based on a discussion between the teen, family and doctor - not routinely recommended for everyone.
Given in addition to the routine schedule, for children who meet certain criteria.
When: Birth season / first RSV season
Who: Infants whose mother did not receive an RSV vaccine in pregnancy may be offered the nirsevimab monoclonal antibody to protect against severe RSV bronchiolitis.
How United States compares with other countries for each vaccine, and the side effects that are normal.
Moving here? Moving to the US with a child
This page is built from the following official and professional sources. Our monthly automated check re-tests every link and flags changes for review.
About the United States schedule
In the United States the childhood immunization schedule is published each year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and it is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Vaccines begin at birth with the first hepatitis B dose and continue at well-child visits at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 15-18 months, then again at ages 4-6 and 11-12. Most children are fully caught up by their pre-kindergarten visit.
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides these vaccines at no cost for eligible children. This page explains every vaccine on the CDC schedule and when your child is due - enter a date of birth for a personal timeline.
How the US compares
The US's routine schedule protects against 17 diseases across 10 vaccination ages, 5 of them in the first year. By age 2 a child has had about 24 vaccine doses, including oral drops against rotavirus.
Less common elsewhere: The US routinely vaccinates against Flu and Hepatitis A, which fewer than half of the other 13 countries on this site include for every child.
Compare the US with any other country, disease by disease.
Behind schedule or new to the US? Almost every dose still counts, and your clinic can plan a catch-up - see common questions or moving to the US.