Introduction
The arrival of a newborn in your life is a whirlwind of love, happiness, and plenty of new-parent anxiety. One of the best things you can do to keep your little one safe is to make sure he or she gets vaccines on schedule. Like a shield, vaccines help your baby’s underdeveloped immune system protect themselves from serious illnesses that could otherwise be deadly. In the United States, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) create a well-crafted Newborn Vaccine Schedule for newborns and infants. That schedule is the key to giving your baby whatever you can to help protect her during those vulnerable early months. As a parent, I recall other parents being blown away by the charts and appointments, but knowing they were keeping their child safe made it all worth it. Here’s what you need to know about the Newborn Vaccine Schedule in the US so you can feel confident and informed every step of the way.
Table of Contents
Vaccines Given at Birth
As soon as your baby is born, the hospital staff will provide a few preventive steps to get their health journey started:
If you have a history of hepatitis B, your healthcare provider may also administer the first hepatitis B vaccine to your newborn within the first 24 hours. This protects against a virus that can lead to serious liver disease, including chronic illness or cancer later in life. It’s critical if the mother’s hepatitis B status is unknown or positive, but it also happens to be standard for all babies as part of a three-dose series. When my daughter received this shot, I hardly noticed — she was too busy sleeping in my arms!
Vitamin K Shot
Babies are born with low levels of vitamin K, which is necessary for blood to clot properly. A vitamin K shot helps prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), a rare but serious problem that can lead to internal bleeding. It’s a one-off thing, and frankly, it’s over in no time.
Eye Ointment
Erythromycin ointment is applied to your baby’s eyes for the prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis, an eye infection caused by bacteria such as gonorrhea that may be transmitted during delivery. This single step guards against potential blindness, and it’s a routine part of care across the US. Seeing those tiny eyes smeared with ointment made me laugh — it’s not glamorous, but it’s lifesaving.
Vaccines Given at 1-2 Months
At about the 1- or 2-month mark, you’ll go to your pediatrician for a well-child visit, where your baby will get some more vaccines. These protect against some really scary illnesses, and I remember being so relieved that my little one’s defenses were coming online.
DTaP Vaccine
The DTaP vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). Diphtheria can obstruct airways, tetanus causes painful muscle rigidity, and whooping cough can be particularly perilous for infants as it leads to violent coughing fits. This is the first of five doses, and it’s a really important part of keeping your baby safe.
Hib vaccine
The Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine protects against a bacterium that can cause meningitis, pneumonia, or epiglottitis — serious infections that no parent wants to deal with. This is the first shot in the series, and it’s remarkable how something so tiny can provide so much protection.
IPV (Polio)
The IPV vaccine protects against polio, which may cause paralysis. And the first dose is given at 1-2 months, and it’s a reminder of how far we’ve come not just in developing vaccines but in fighting diseases that once terrorized families.
Vaccines Given at 4 Months
At the 4-month checkup, your baby receives the second round of some important vaccines. These boosters boost their immunity, and by now you may have figured out the drill at these pediatrician visits (and perhaps even the art of soothing post-shot tears):
DTaP (2nd Dose):
The 2nd DTaP dose further enhances protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. It’s like fortifying the walls around your baby’s immune castle.
Hib (Second Dose):
You give your baby another dose of Hib for added protection against those nasty bacterial infections. This only works if you do it repeatedly, and I got reassurance out of feeling we were doing our job.
IPV (Second Dose):
The second dose of polio vaccine protects your child from polio and continues a series of vaccinations that will protect your child for many years.
Vaccines Given at 6 Months
By 6 months, your baby may be giving you those sweet gummy smiles, and they’ll receive a few more vaccines to help keep them healthy as they learn about their world:
Hepatitis B (If Not Through Birth):
If your baby didn’t receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth or needs to complete the series, a dose can be given now. That will ensure they’re completely protected against this virus that threatens the liver.
Rotavirus Vaccine:
The rotavirus vaccine is an oral vaccine (no needles!) that protects against a virus that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration in infants. It is administered in a series of two or three doses, done by 8 months. My son thought it was another feeding — he gulped it right up.
PCV13 (Pneumococcal Conjugate) Vaccine:
PCV13 (Pneumococcal Conjugate) Vaccine: The PCV13 vaccine protects against an organism called Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, or bloodstream infections. Usually begun at 2 months, a dose at 6 months helps complete the series. It’s remarkable that these vaccines are dealing with such enormous threats.
12 to 15 months
- Hib
- It stands for measles, mumps, and MMR rubella (German for measles). This shot is sometimes given with the varicella shot and is called Varicella MMRV.
- PCV
- Chickenpox, or varicella
12 to 23 months
- When you get the HepA vaccine, you get two shots at least six months apart.
15 to 18 months
- DTaP
4 to 6 years
- DTaP
- MMR
- IPV
- Varicella
9 to 16 years old
- Dengue vaccine: Children who have had dengue fever before and live in places where it is common, like Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, get this vaccine three times.
11 to 12 years old
- HPV stands for “human papillomavirus.” This vaccine is given twice over the course of 6 to 12 months. As early as age 9, it can be taken. Teenagers and young adults (15–26 years old) and people with weak immune systems will get 3 shots over the course of 6 months. Both girls and boys should do it to avoid getting genital warts and some types of cancer.
- Tdap stands for “tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster.” It’s also suggested that women do this every time they get pregnant.
- The meningococcal vaccine. Guards against types A, C, W, and Y meningococcal germs. At age 16, you should get a booster shot.
16 to 18 years old
- MenB is the meningococcal vaccine. Keeps you safe from meningococcal bacteria type B. The MenB vaccine can be given twice to teens and young adults (16–23 years old). Because college students are more likely to get sick, the best age range is 16 to 18. Everyone should get the MenACWY vaccine, but teens, their parents, and the doctor decide if they want to get the MenB vaccine. It should only be done regularly for kids 10 years or older who have certain diseases that make their immune system weak, or when there is an outbreak. There is a vaccine called MenABCWY that can protect some kids against all 5 germs with just one shot.
Some other things you should know
- The HepA vaccine: Babies as young as 6 months old can get this shot if they are going to a place where hepatitis A is popular. They will still need to get vaccinated regularly after they turn 1. Plus, older kids who didn’t get it before are told to try it.
- This is the MMR vaccine. Babies as young as 6 months old can get it if they are going to travel abroad or live in a place where measles is spreading. Still, they should get the regular doses when they are 12 to 15 months old and 4 to 6 years old. But, if they will still be moving and are at risk, they can get the second dose up to 4 weeks after the first one. During a mumps outbreak, some people may need a third shot of the vaccine, according to their doctor.
- The flu shot: Kids are more likely to get sick from the flu, so getting a flu shot is very important. People younger than 5 years old and people who have long-term health problems like asthma, heart problems, sickle cell disease, diabetes, or HIV are at a higher risk.
- Children aged 2 and up can get the pneumococcal vaccine if they have a condition that weakens their immune system, like asplenia or HIV, or if they have a cochlear implant, long-term heart disease, or long-term lung disease.
- If a baby is at risk for a meningococcal infection like meningitis, they can get the MenACWY vaccine as early as 8 weeks old, based on the brand of vaccine. In this group are kids who have some immune system problems. Kids who live in or plan to visit places where meningitis is popular or where there is an outbreak should also get the shot. Also, first-year college students who live in dorms and people who want to join the service should get it if they haven’t already. If a child got the vaccine when they were young because they were traveling or because of an outbreak, they should still get the two shots that are recommended on time.
- Adults who were fully protected against polio as kids can get a booster shot if they are at risk of getting it again. People who go to places where polio is common, are likely to be exposed to poliovirus at work, or live close to someone who has polio are all examples of this.
- This is the mpox vaccine. People who are very likely to get mpox can get it starting at age 18. It will be given to them twice, one month apart.
Conclusion
As a newly minted parent, there’s a natural duality of protectiveness and doubt when it comes to your baby’s vaccines. But keeping up with the recommended schedule is the single strongest way to protect your little one from diseases that can hit them hardest when they’re most vulnerable. Those well-child visits with your pediatrician are not just appointments—they’re opportunities to make sure your baby is thriving and safe. Have a record of vaccines on hand (I jotted mine down on a little notebook I carried around, and it came in handy for daycare registration!). If you’re feeling unsure or have questions, we need to hear you—your pediatrician is there to listen and guide you. You’re doing great, and every vaccine is a step toward a healthier future for your child.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the newborn vaccine schedule?
The recommended US newborn vaccine schedule, according to the CDC, starts at birth — hepatitis B — and then goes to 1–2 months (DTaP, Hib, IPV), 4 months (2nd doses of DTaP, Hib, IPV), and 6 months (hepatitis B, rotavirus, PCV13, and others as needed). More doses follow during infancy and childhood.
What vaccines are given to newborns?
Within 24 hours, newborns commonly receive the hepatitis B vaccine, a vitamin K injection, and erythromycin eye ointment. Other shots, like DTaP, Hib, and IPV, are offered beginning at 1-2 months.
How can I decline vaccines for my newborn?
In the US, parents have the statutory right to decline vaccinations for their newborn, although varying state laws dictate whether exemptions are permitted for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons. But turning down vaccines raises the risk of grave, preventable illnesses. And if you are concerned, talk it over with your pediatrician to help you decide.
What is the first round of vaccines given to newborns?
The first set of vaccines—the hepatitis B vaccine, vitamin K shot, and erythromycin eye ointment—is usually given within the first 24 hours of birth.
Are you allowed to refuse the HepB vaccine at birth?
The hepatitis B vaccine is given to infants at birth (if you go to the hospital). Yes, parents can refuse the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, and I am not saying parents should NEVER refuse this vaccine, but I’d be careful if you refuse. The vaccine provides protection against a virus that can lead to chronic liver disease, so early vaccination is advised, especially if the mother’s hepatitis B status is unknown or positive.
What vaccinations do newborns receive immediately?
Within the first day of life, newborns get the hepatitis B vaccine and a vitamin K shot, and their eyes are treated with erythromycin ointment to prevent infection.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is based on publicly available medical guidelines and data, including sources such as the CDC and AAP. It is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. For personalized recommendations or concerns about your baby’s health and vaccination schedule, please consult your pediatrician or healthcare provider.