Immunizing Your Child - National Center for Policy Research

Immunizing Your Child

An important step in keeping children safe from many childhood diseases is by making sure they are immunized on time. Below is the recommended childhood immunization schedule for January-December 2001. The schedule is approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Some parents are concerned that a child might have a reaction to a vaccine. These major health organizations all agree that the risk of not having a vaccine, to your child and to the public health for all children, is greater than the risk of the vaccine itself.

Hepatitis B (Hep B): Three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine are recommended for a child to be protected against hepatitis B infection. The first dose should be given at birth to 2 months, the second dose at 1 to 4 months (but at least one month after the first dose), and the third at 6 to 18 months (but at least 4 months after the first dose and 2 months after the second dose). If a child has not previously received 3 doses of the vaccine, he or she should start or complete the series at 11 to 12 years.

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis (DTaP): Four doses of DTaP are recommended. The first should be administered at 2 months, the second at 4 months, the third at 6 months, and the fourth at 15 to 18 months.

Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids (Td): Td is recommended at 11 to 12 years if at least 5 years have elapsed since the last does of DTP, DTaP, or DT. Subsequent routine Td boosters are recommended every 10 years.

H. influenzae type b (Hib): It is recommended that children receive four doses of the Hib vaccine. The first should be administered at 2 months, the second at 4 months, the third at 6 months, and the fourth at 12 to 15 months.

Polio (IPV): Children should receive four doses of IPV at 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months, and 4-6 years.

Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV): PCV is recommended for all children 2 to 23 months of age. The schedule recommends that PCV be given concurrently with other childhood vaccines at 2, 4, 6 and 12 to 15 months. The number of PCV doses required depends upon the age at which vaccination begins. This vaccine is also recommended for high-risk children aged 24 to 59 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Two doses of MMR are recommended - the first at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years. However, the second dose may be administered during any doctor's visit, provided at least 4 weeks have passed since the first dose and that both doses are administered beginning at or after 12 months of age. Children who have not previously received the second dose should complete the schedule at 11 to 12 years.

Varicella (Var): Var should be given at 12 to 18 months. If a child had not previously received the vaccine, he or she should receive the vaccine at 11 to 12 years.

Hepatitis A (Hep A): Hep A should be administered at 24 months, 4 to 6 years, or 11 to 12 years. Please note that this vaccine is only recommended in selected states and/or regions. To check if it is recommended in your area, contact your local public health authority.

For more information, please visit the National Immunization Program Home Page at www.cdc.gov/nip or call the National Immunization Hotline at 800-232-2522 (English) or 800-232-0233 (Spanish).

What should you do if your child is having a serious reaction to a vaccine?

If you think your child is having a persistent or severe reaction to a vaccine, you should call your doctor or take your child to a doctor immediately. It is important to write down what happened and the date and time it happened. You should also contact the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) or ask your doctor, nurse, or health department to do so.

What is VAERS?

The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, which is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), collects and analyzes information from reports of possible adverse events that occur following vaccination. VAERS encourages reporting of any clinically significant adverse event that occurs after the administration of any vaccine licensed in the U.S., even if it is not certain that the reaction was caused by the vaccine.

There are many different types of events that can occur after vaccination. About 85% of VAERS reports describe mild reactions such as fever, local reactions, episodes of crying or mild irritability, and other less serious events. Approximately 15% of the reports describe serious adverse events involving life-threatening conditions, hospitalization, permanent disability, or death.

In 1986, Congress asked the Institute of Medicine to conduct a scientific review of the possible adverse events following commonly used childhood vaccines. The Institute published two reports based on its findings; both concluded that adverse events caused by vaccines are rare.

To find out if a certain vaccine adverse event has ever been reported to VAERS, send a written information request to: