About Vaccinations for Infants and Toddlers (Birth through 3 years)

Overview

Vaccines help protect infants and toddlers from many serious diseases. They teach the body to make antibodies, which help fight infections. After vaccination, a child may not get sick from an infection, or may have a milder illness. Many vaccines, sometimes called immunizations, are given during infancy and early childhood.

Each year, the CDC and vaccine experts review vaccine guidance and update it when needed. Vaccines and other immunizing products may help protect infants and toddlers against:

  • COVID-19
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Influenza (flu)
  • Measles, mumps, and rubella
  • Meningococcus
  • Pneumococcus
  • Poliovirus
  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  • Rotavirus
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis
  • Varicella (chickenpox)

Below is a brief summary of each disease and the vaccines or immunizing products that may help prevent it. These are general recommendations. Vaccine guidance can change, so ask your child’s healthcare professional what your child needs and when.

COVID-19

  • COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Infants and toddlers are less likely than adults to have severe COVID-19, but some children can become very sick and need hospital care. Babies younger than 6 months, children born early, and children with certain health conditions or weakened immune systems may have a higher risk of severe illness.
  • Children can start COVID-19 vaccination at 6 months of age. The recommended vaccine and number of doses may depend on your child’s age, health, previous COVID-19 vaccines, and the vaccine available that season. Ask your child’s healthcare professional what is recommended for your child.
  • What vaccines are available? COVID-19 vaccine products and recommendations can change by season. Ask your child’s healthcare professional which current vaccine is recommended for your child.
    • For the 2026–2027 season, Spikevax is the COVID-19 vaccine with an indication that includes children as young as 6 months. Comirnaty is indicated for people ages 5 years and older who meet eligibility criteria, and mNEXSPIKE and Nuvaxovid are indicated for people ages 12 years and older who meet eligibility criteria.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

  • Hib disease is caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria. Hib can cause serious infections in babies and young children, including meningitis, bloodstream infection, pneumonia, epiglottitis, cellulitis, and joint infection. Hib vaccine helps protect against type b disease, but it does not protect against every type of Haemophilus influenzae bacteria.
  • Who should receive the Hib vaccine? Hib vaccine is usually given as a series of 3 or 4 doses, depending on the vaccine used.
  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months, if needed depending on the vaccine product used
  • 12 through 15 months
  • What vaccines are available?
    • ActHIB, Hiberix, PedvaxHIB

Hepatitis A

  • Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. It spreads easily through close contact with an infected person or through contaminated food or water. Symptoms can include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dark urine, pale stool, joint pain, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.
  • Who should receive hepatitis A vaccination? The CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccine for all children ages 12 through 23 months.
  • What vaccines are available?
    • Havrix, Vaqta
    • Combination hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine is available for adults but is not part of the routine infant and toddler vaccination schedule.

Hepatitis B

  • Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus, which affects the liver. It can cause a short-term illness or a long-term infection. Long-term hepatitis B can lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. Babies are vaccinated because hepatitis B can pass from a pregnant person to a baby during birth.
  • Who should receive the hepatitis B vaccine? Hepatitis B vaccine is usually given as 3 doses: at birth, at 1 through 2 months, and at 6 through 18 months. Some combination vaccines may require 4 doses.
  • What vaccines are available?
    • Engerix-B and Recombivax HB are hepatitis B vaccines used in children. Some hepatitis B vaccine products are approved only for adults and are not used for routine infant vaccination.
    • Combination hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine is available for adults but is not part of the routine infant and toddler vaccination schedule.

Influenza (flu)

  • Influenza, or flu, is a contagious illness caused by influenza viruses. Flu viruses change over time, so flu vaccines are updated regularly. Flu vaccination is recommended every year.
  • Who should receive flu vaccine? Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year, unless they have a medical reason not to. Some children younger than 9 years may need 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart.
  • What vaccines are available? Many flu shot brands are available each year. Ask your child’s healthcare professional or pharmacist which flu vaccine is recommended for your infant or toddler.

Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)

  • Measles, mumps, and rubella are contagious diseases caused by viruses. They can cause mild to serious illness. MMR vaccine helps protect against all 3 diseases.
  • Who should receive MMR vaccine? The first dose is usually given at 12 through 15 months. The second dose is usually given at 4 through 6 years. Some children may need an earlier or additional dose, such as before international travel or during an outbreak.
  • What vaccines are available? M-M-R II and Priorix are MMR vaccines. ProQuad is a combination MMRV vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. For the first dose at 12 through 47 months, separate MMR and chickenpox vaccines are usually preferred unless a parent or caregiver chooses MMRV after discussing the benefits and risks with a healthcare professional.

Meningococcus

  • Meningococcal disease is rare but serious. It is caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. It can cause meningitis and bloodstream infection and can become life-threatening quickly. The bacteria can spread through close or prolonged contact with spit or respiratory droplets. Infants younger than 1 year have a higher risk than many other age groups.
  • Who should receive meningococcal vaccine? Routine meningococcal vaccination is recommended during adolescence. Some infants and young children 2 months and older may need MenACWY vaccine if they have a higher risk of meningococcal disease because of certain health conditions, certain medicines, or travel to areas where the disease is common.
  • What vaccines are available? MenACWY vaccines may be used for some infants and young children at increased risk. MenB and MenABCWY vaccines are used for older children, adolescents, or adults when indicated.

Pneumococcus

  • Pneumococcal disease is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. It can cause pneumonia, meningitis, bloodstream infection, ear infection, and sinus infection. These bacteria can spread through contact with respiratory droplets, such as saliva or mucus.
  • Who should receive pneumococcal vaccine? CDC recommends pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, or PCV, for all children younger than 5 years. It is usually given as 4 doses: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 through 15 months.
  • What vaccines are available?
    • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV):
      • PCV15 (Vaxneuvance): This vaccine is approved for use in people 6 weeks of age and older.
      • PCV20 (Prevnar 20): This vaccine is approved for use in people 6 weeks of age and older.
    • Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23): Pneumovax 23. PPSV23 may be recommended for some children ages 2 years and older who have certain health conditions that increase their risk for pneumococcal disease.

Poliovirus

  • Polio is caused by poliovirus. The virus has been eliminated in many parts of the world because of vaccination, but it can still spread in some places. Many infections cause no symptoms or only mild symptoms, such as sore throat, fever, tiredness, nausea, or headache. Rarely, polio can cause meningitis, paralysis, or death. Poliovirus spreads easily, often through contact with stool from an infected person. Vaccination is the best way to help prevent polio.
  • Who should receive inactivated polio vaccine, or IPV? IPV is usually given as 4 doses: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 through 18 months, and 4 through 6 years.
    • 2 and 4 months
    • 6 through 18 months
    • 4 through 6 years
  • What vaccines are available?
    • Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV): This is the only polio vaccine available in the United States.
    • Combination vaccines (Pediarix, Pentacel, and Vaxelis): These vaccines combine protection against polio with protection against other diseases, such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and hepatitis B. The exact combination depends on the vaccine product.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

  • RSV is a common respiratory virus that often causes mild cold-like symptoms. Babies, especially young babies and those with certain health conditions, are more likely to develop severe RSV illness, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Some may need hospital care. RSV infections often happen in fall and winter. RSV immunization can help protect babies from severe illness.
  • Who should receive RSV immunization?
  • Pregnant people may receive the RSV vaccine Abrysvo at 32 through 36 weeks of pregnancy during RSV season. This helps protect the baby from severe RSV lower respiratory tract disease after birth.
  • Most babies younger than 8 months who are born during or entering their first RSV season should receive a long-acting RSV antibody if the pregnant parent did not receive RSV vaccine during pregnancy, if vaccination status is unknown, or if the baby was born within 14 days after maternal vaccination. Most babies do not need both maternal RSV vaccination and an infant RSV antibody.
  • Some children ages 8 through 19 months who are at higher risk for severe RSV disease may also be eligible for nirsevimab before or during their second RSV season.
  • What RSV vaccines are available for use during pregnancy?
    • Abrysvo: This RSV vaccine may be given during pregnancy at 32 through 36 weeks to help protect babies from RSV lower respiratory tract disease after birth.
  • What RSV prevention options are available for infants that are not vaccines?
    • Clesrovimab: This long-acting antibody is given as an injection to help prevent severe RSV lower respiratory tract disease in babies younger than 8 months who are born during or entering their first RSV season and are not already protected by RSV vaccination during pregnancy.
    • Nirsevimab: This long-acting antibody is given as an injection to babies younger than 8 months who are born during or entering their first RSV season and are not already protected by RSV vaccination during pregnancy. It may also be recommended for some children ages 8 through 19 months who remain at higher risk for severe RSV disease before or during their second RSV season.

Rotavirus

  • Rotavirus is common in infants and young children. It usually causes severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach pain. Symptoms often last 3 to 8 days. Rotavirus spreads easily among family members and children in daycare. Vaccination and good handwashing can help protect your child.
  • Who should receive rotavirus vaccine? This oral vaccine is given as drops. Depending on the vaccine used, babies receive either 2 or 3 doses.
    • 2 and 4 months
    • 2, 4, and 6 months
  • What vaccines are available?
    • RotaTeq (RV5): This vaccine is given as a series of 3 doses of drops at 2, 4, and 6 months.
    • Rotarix (RV1): This vaccine is given as a series of 2 doses of drops at 2 and 4 months.

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis

  • Tetanus is a serious disease caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria. It can cause lockjaw, trouble swallowing, painful muscle spasms, seizures, and trouble breathing.
  • Diphtheria is caused by toxin-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria. It can cause serious illness, especially when it affects breathing. It can also affect the skin and other parts of the body. Diphtheria is rare in the United States, but it can still occur.
  • Pertussis, also called whooping cough, is a very contagious respiratory illness caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It can start like a cold, with a runny nose, low fever, and mild cough. The cough can become severe and may cause coughing fits, vomiting after coughing, exhaustion, or a “whoop” sound when breathing in. Babies may have pauses in breathing or trouble breathing and may need urgent medical care.
  • Who should receive vaccination against these diseases? DTaP vaccine is usually given as 5 doses: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 through 18 months, and 4 through 6 years. Pregnant people should also receive Tdap during each pregnancy to help protect newborns from pertussis.
  • What vaccines are available?
    • Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP): Daptacel and Infanrix are used for infants and young children.

Varicella (chickenpox)

  • Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It causes an itchy, blister-like rash and may also cause fever and tiredness. It is often mild in healthy children, but it can cause serious illness in some people, including infants, adolescents, adults, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems.
  • Who should receive chickenpox vaccine? Chickenpox vaccine is usually given as 2 doses: the first at 12 through 15 months and the second at 4 through 6 years.
  • What vaccines are available?
    • Varivax: This chickenpox vaccine is approved for use in people 12 months or older.
    • ProQuad: This combination MMRV vaccine protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox and is approved for children 12 months through 12 years of age.
    • Children ages 12 through 23 months have a higher risk of fever-related seizures 5 to 12 days after the first dose of MMRV vaccine than after separate MMR and chickenpox vaccines. This is one reason separate vaccines are usually preferred for the first dose in this age group.

What are the potential side effects of vaccines in infants and toddlers?

Who should not receive vaccines?

What should I do if my child experiences severe or persistent symptoms after receiving a vaccine?