There are many vaccinations for babies and most doctors will give you a handout that has the different vaccines that are recommended and when they should be given. The fist vaccines your child receives will be in the hospital. Generally at birth newborns receive the first of a series of Hepatitis B vaccines.

The next set of vaccines comes at two months when infants receive the second Hepatitis B vaccine, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib), Inactivated Poliovirus (IPV), and the Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV).

At four months of age infants receive DTaP, Hib, IPV, and PCV vaccinations again. The HepB #2 vaccine may be administered during the four month checkup if it was not administered during the two month well visit.

At six months infants receive DTaP, Hib, and PCV. Between 12 and 15 months infants should receive the HepB #3 vaccine, Hib, IPV, Measles, Mumps, Rubella #1 (MMR), Varicella, PCV, and their yearly influenza vaccine. The DTaP should be administered between 15 and 18 months.

After your baby receives all of these vaccines more vaccines will not be necessary until 24 months, 4-6 years, 11-12 years, and 13-18 years.

Some babies should receive additional vaccines if the mother has certain illnesses or if the child is at risk for other illnesses. Children who will travel internationally during this time frame will also need different immunizations depending on where they will be visiting.

If you have questions about immunizations and your child then you should discuss them with your pediatrician. Additionally, if you are worried about vaccines and their effects on your infant or any side effects of the vaccinations then you should discuss your worries with the doctor as well. There are many rumors about vaccinations specifically the MMR vaccine causing Autism. If you are worried abut this it is important to discuss the issue with your pediatrician.

Posted in Baby and Toddler

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