A vaccination schedule entails a sequence of immunisations, specifying the timing for administering each dose, which may be recommended or mandatory based on your country. A vaccine is an antigenic formulation utilised to induce active immunity against a disease, aiming to prevent or mitigate the impact of infection caused by any naturally occurring or “wild” pathogen.
To ensure maximum effectiveness, many vaccines necessitate multiple doses to generate an adequate initial immune response and bolster waning immunity over time. Think about the tetanus shot—it’s recommended that you receive a tetanus vaccine booster every ten years.
The recommended immunisation schedule can vary depending on geographical location, a child’s health status, the vaccine type, and the availability of vaccines. Specific vaccines can be administered as combination vaccines, reducing the number of individual shots required for children.
At 3P4Care, our dedicated team assists families, including children and adults, travellers, and others, in ensuring they remain current with their essential vaccinations and immunisations. Considering your specific requirements, vaccination records, and planned travel destinations, our team of experts can assess and recommend the most suitable vaccines for you.
In this article, we will delve into mandatory childhood vaccinations and their respective timing.
Vaccination Schedule for Children
The following schedule lists which vaccines your child should receive and when.
Birth
- HepB: Hepatitis B vaccine
Ideally, the first dose should be administered within 12–24 hours of birth. However, children who haven’t been immunised previously can receive it at any age. Some infants with low birth weight may receive it at 1 month or after hospital discharge.
- RSV: Respiratory syncytial virus vaccine
Ideally, all infants younger than 8 months of age should receive 1 dose shortly before the start of the respiratory syncytial virus season.
1–2 months
- HepB: the second dose should be administered one to two months after the initial dose.
- RSV: Respiratory syncytial virus vaccine (shortly before RSV season if not already given)
2 months
- DTaP: Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine
- Hib: Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
- IPV: Inactivated poliovirus vaccine
- PCV: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
- RV: Rotavirus vaccine
- RSV: (shortly before RSV season if not already given)
4 months
- DTaP
- Hib
- IPV
- PCV
- RV
- RSV: (shortly before RSV season if not already given)
6 months
- DTaP
- Hib (The need for this third dose may depend on the brand of vaccine used in previous Hib immunisations)
- PCV
- RV (The need for this third dose may depend on the brand of vaccine used in previous RV immunisations)
- RSV: (shortly before RSV season if not already given)
6 months and annually
- Influenza (Flu): For children aged 6 months and above, it is advisable to get a flu shot annually.
- Kids under 9 receiving the flu vaccine for the first time (or having had only 1 dose before July 2022) should receive 2 separate doses spaced at least a month apart.
- Those under 9 who have previously received at least 2 doses of the flu vaccine (before July 2022) will only require 1 dose.
- Children older than 9 years need only 1 dose.
- The flu vaccine can be administered through an injection (flu shot) or nasal spray. Both types are equally effective for the 2023–2024 flu season. Your doctor will recommend the appropriate option based on your child’s age and general health. The nasal spray is intended for healthy individuals between the ages of 2 and 49. Individuals with weakened immune systems, specific health conditions (such as asthma), and pregnant women should not receive the nasal spray vaccine.
6–18 months
- HepB
- IPV
- RSV: (up to 8 months of age if not already given, shortly before RSV season)
12–15 months
- Hib
- MMR: Measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles) vaccine. It is sometimes administered in conjunction with the varicella vaccine, known as MMRV.
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- PCV
12–23 months
- HepA: (Hepatitis A vaccine) This is given as 2 shots with at least a 6-month interval.
15–18 months
- DTaP
4–6 years
- DTaP
- MMR
- IPV
- Varicella
9–16 years
- Dengue vaccine: Administered in 3 doses to children who have previously had dengue fever and reside in areas where it is prevalent (e.g., Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
11–12 years
- HPV (Human papillomavirus vaccine) This vaccine is delivered in 2 shots over a 6- to 12-month timeframe. It can be administered as early as age 9. For teenagers and young adults (ages 15–26), a 3-shot regimen over 6 months is recommended. It is recommended for boys and girls to prevent specific types of cancer and genital warts.
- Tdap: (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster are additionally recommended during each pregnancy.
- MenACWY: Meningococcal vaccine protecting against meningococcal bacteria types A, C, W, and Y. A booster dose is recommended at age 16.
16–18 years
- MenB: Meningococcal vaccine targeting meningococcal bacterium type B. The MenB vaccine may be administered to children and teenagers in 2 or 3 doses, depending on the brand. Routine administration is suggested for children 10 years and older who have specific conditions weakening their immune system or during an outbreak.
Other Important Information:
- If you are traveling with an infant to a region where hepatitis A is common, the HepA vaccine can be administered as early as 6 months of age.(routine vaccination is still required after the first birthday). It is also recommended for older children who have not previously received it.
- MMR vaccine can be administered to infants as young as 6 months old if they will be traveling abroad. These children should still receive the routinely recommended doses at 12–15 months and 4–6 years of age. However, the second dose can be administered as early as 4 weeks after the first dose if they continue traveling and remain at risk.
- The flu vaccine is particularly crucial for children at risk of complications from the flu, including but not limited to those younger than 5 years old and those with chronic medical conditions that include heart problems, asthma, sickle cell disease, diabetes, or HIV.
- Pneumococcal vaccines can be administered to older children (2 years and older) with conditions affecting their immune systems, such as asplenia or HIV infection, as well as those with other conditions like a cochlear implant, chronic heart disease, or chronic lung disease.
- Meningococcal vaccines can be given to children as young as 8 weeks old (depending on the vaccine brand) who are at risk of meningococcal infections, such as meningitis. This includes children with certain immune disorders. Additionally, children residing in (or traveling to) countries where meningitis is common or experiencing an outbreak should receive the vaccine.
- COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots are recommended for adults and children aged 6 months and older. It is crucial for all eligible individuals to receive them as soon as possible.
- Adults who were fully vaccinated against polio during childhood can receive a polio vaccine booster if they are at risk of exposure to polio.
This includes individuals who:
- Travel to regions with a high risk of polio transmission.
- Might be exposed to poliovirus in their workplace.
- Have close contact at home with someone who has polio.
Vaccination Services Available in Chicago, IL
For routine vaccinations or travel vaccines, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at 3P4Care without delay. Our team is well-equipped to administer the appropriate vaccines tailored to your specific health condition, age, medical history, and travel itinerary.
Take a step towards safeguarding your well-being by visiting our contact page or conveniently scheduling an appointment online today!
Images: Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash
