Vaccines recommended by age: CDC vaccine schedule

For adults and children of all ages, receiving the following recommended vaccines is a necessary step toward staying healthy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a list of vaccines recommended by age on its website. The list can also be found below.

While the list below is an important guide, seeing your primary health provider every year for an annual physical is the best way to stay healthy. Your health provider will make sure you receive all recommended vaccines and can also measure and monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol level, weight, and mental health, among other factors, to set you up for success in life.

Vaccines recommended by age

The following vaccines are recommended by age by the CDC during various stages of the human lifespan.

Vaccines recommended for infants under 1

Birth

Before leaving the hospital or birthing center, your baby receives the first of 3 doses of the vaccine that protects against Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B virus can cause chronic swelling of the liver and possible lifelong complications. It’s important to protect infants and young children from hepatitis B because they are more likely than adults to develop incurable chronic (long term) infection that can result in liver damage and liver cancer.

1 to 2 months

• Hepatitis B (2nd dose)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Polio (IPV)
• Pneumococcal (PCV)
• Rotavirus (RV)

4 months

• Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Polio (IPV)
• Pneumococcal (PCV)
• Rotavirus (RV)
• Hepatitis B (HepB)

6 months

• Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Polio (IPV)
• Pneumococcal (PCV)
• Rotavirus (RV)
• Influenza (flu)

7 to 11 months

There are usually no vaccinations scheduled between 7 and 11 months of age. However, if your baby has missed an earlier vaccination, now is a good time to “catch up.”

Babies 6 months and older should receive flu vaccination every flu season.

Recommended vaccines for toddlers

12 to 23 months

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Polio (IPV) (between 6 through 18 months)
• Pneumococcal (PCV)
• Hepatitis A (HepA)
• Hepatitis B (HepB)

Babies 6 months and older and children should receive flu vaccination every flu season.

2 to 3 years

Between 2 and 3 years of age, your child should visit the doctor once a year for check-ups.

Children should receive flu vaccination every flu season.

Vaccines recommended for school age children

The following are vaccines recommended by the CDC for school-age children. Find a list of vaccines required in North Carolina's public schools here.

4 to 6 years

Between 4 and 6 years of age, your child should visit the doctor once a year for check-ups.

Additionally, children should receive flu vaccination every flu season.

• Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
• Polio (IPV)
• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Influenza (flu) every year

7-10 years

Between 7 and 10 years of age, your child should visit the doctor once a year for check-ups.

Additionally, children should receive flu vaccination every flu season.

11 to 12 years

The CDC recommends four vaccines for preteens:

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
• HPV vaccine: Protects against the human papillomaviruses that cause most cervical, anal, and other cancers, as well as genital warts
• Tdap
• Flu vaccine every flu season

13 to 18 years

Between 13 through 18 years old, your child should visit the doctor once each year for check-ups. This can be a great time to get any vaccines your teen may have missed or may need if traveling outside the United States.

Everyone 6 months and older should receive flu vaccination every flu season.

Recommended vaccines for adults

19 to 26 years

• Seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine
• Td or Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
• HPV vaccine if you were not vaccinated at a younger age (HPV vaccination is routinely recommended at age 11 or 12 years)

Some vaccines may be recommended for adults because of particular job or school-related requirements, health conditions, lifestyle or other factors. Some states require students entering colleges and universities to be vaccinated against certain diseases like meningitis due to increased risk among college students living in residential housing.

27 to 60 years

• All adults need a seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine every year. Flu vaccine is especially important for people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and older adults.
• Every adult should get the Tdap vaccine once if they did not receive it as an adolescent to protect against pertussis (whooping cough), and then a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years.
• Women should get the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks.
• Healthy adults aged 50 years and older should get a zoster vaccine to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease.

Some vaccines may be recommended for adults because of particular job or school-related requirements, health conditions, lifestyle or other factors. Check with your doctor.

Recommended vaccines for seniors

60 years and older

• Seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine
• Td or Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
• Pneumococcal vaccines, which protect against pneumococcal disease, including infections in the lungs and bloodstream (recommended for all adults over 65 years old, and for adults younger than 65 years who have certain chronic health conditions)
• Zoster vaccine, which protects against shingles (recommended for adults 50 years or older)