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Vaccines & Immunizations

. . Divided by Age . .

Key points

Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from preventable diseases. The vaccines you receive are safe. Vaccines may be required at work, school, for travel or more activities.

1. Vaccines Have Saved Lives for Over 100 Years But Serious Disease Is Still a Threat

Vaccines have greatly reduced diseases that once routinely harmed or killed babies, children, and adults. People all over the world—including in the United States—still become seriously ill or even die from diseases that vaccines can help prevent. It is important that you stay up to date on recommended vaccines.

The protection some vaccines provide can fade over time, and you might need additional vaccine doses (boosters) to maintain protection. For example, adults should receive a tetanus booster every 10 years to protect against infection from dirty wounds. Talk to your health care provider about vaccination to see whether you might have missed any vaccines or need a booster

2. Vaccines Are the Best Way to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Preventable Disease

Did you know that vaccines are the best way to protect yourself from certain preventable diseases? Vaccines help your body create protective antibodies—proteins that help it fight off infections.

By getting vaccinated, you can protect yourself and also avoid spreading preventable diseases to other people in your community. Some people cannot get certain vaccines because they are too young or too old or they have a weakened immune system or other serious health condition. Those people are less likely to catch a preventable disease when you and others around them are vaccinated against it. Help protect yourself and the people you love by staying up to date on recommended vaccinations.

3. Vaccines Can Prevent Serious Illness

Some vaccine-preventable diseases can have serious complications or even lead to later illnesses. For them, vaccination provides protection not only against the disease itself but also against the dangerous complications or consequences that it can bring. Some examples:

Seasonal influenza (flu) is a respiratory virus that sickens tens of millions of people every year in the United States. The annual flu vaccine helps you avoid infection and reduces your chances of being hospitalized or dying if you do become infected. Flu vaccine also protects you from flu-related pneumonia and flu-related heart attacks or stroke—complications that can affect anyone but are especially dangerous for persons with diabetes or chronic heart or lung conditions.

Hepatitis B is a serious, potentially deadly infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). There is no cure, but vaccination prevents HBV infection as well as the chronic liver damage and cancer that hepatitis B can cause.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of cervical cancer and can cause other cancers in both women and men. HPV vaccine keeps you from being infected with the virus or passing it to others, protecting you and them from the immediate effects of the virus as well as from the various cancers it can trigger.

4. The Vaccines You Receive Are Safe

Vaccine safety is a high priority. CDC and other experts carefully review safety data before recommending any vaccine, then continually monitor vaccine safety after approval.

Vaccines can have side effects, but most people experience only mild side effects—if any—after vaccination. The most common side effects are fever, tiredness, body aches, or redness, swelling, and tenderness where the shot was given. Mild reactions usually go away on their own within a few days. Serious or long-lasting side effects are extremely rare, and vaccine safety is continually monitored.

5. Vaccines May Be Required

Certain vaccines are required for school, work, travel, and more. Students, military personnel, and residents of rehabilitation or care centers must be vaccinated against diseases that circulate in close quarters. Health care workers and others whose job puts them at risk of catching and spreading preventable diseases need to be vaccinated against them.

And, of course, vaccination is required before travel to many places around the world. Because vaccination protects you and those around you, vaccines can be required for everyday activities as well as for extraordinary situations. It is important that you stay up to date on recommended vaccinations.

Babies and toddlers

Birth

Your baby’s birth is an exciting time. This is also your first opportunity to protect your child from serious diseases with immunizations.

Hepatitis B vaccine

1st dose of 3

Hepatitis B is an infectious and potentially serious disease that can cause liver damage and liver cancer. There is no cure for hepatitis B. Mothers can unknowingly pass the hepatitis B virus to their babies at birth, which is why babies should get their first dose within 24 hours of birth.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine

1 Dose

RSV is a common cause of severe respiratory illness in infants and young children. Those infected with RSV can have difficulty breathing and eating, and sometimes may need respiratory support or hydration in the hospital. An RSV immunization uses monoclonal antibodies to protect infants and young children from severe RSV disease. This immunization gives your baby's body extra help to fight an RSV infection.

Infants younger than 8 months old during RSV season (typically fall through spring) should get a one-dose RSV immunization to protect them against RSV. This dose should be given shortly before or during the RSV season.

1 through 2 months

Protect your baby by providing immunity early in life. Starting at 1 to 2 months of age, your baby receives the following vaccines to develop immunity from potentially harmful diseases.

DTaP vaccine

1st dose of 5

A DTaP vaccine is the best protection from three serious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis). All three of these diseases can be deadly for people of any age, and whooping cough is especially dangerous for babies.

Hib vaccine

1st dose of 3 or 4

Hib disease is a serious illness caused by the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Babies and children younger than 5 years old are most at risk for Hib disease. It can cause lifelong disability and be deadly. Doctors recommend that your child get three or four doses of the Hib vaccine (depending on the brand).

Hepatitis B vaccine

2nd dose of 3

Hepatitis B is an infectious and potentially serious disease that can cause liver damage and liver cancer. If babies are infected at birth, hepatitis B can be a lifelong, chronic infection. There is no cure for hepatitis B, but the hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to prevent it.

IPV

1st dose of 4

Polio is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by poliovirus, which can infect the spinal cord and cause paralysis. It most often sickens children younger than 5 years old. Polio was eliminated in the United States with vaccination, and continued use of polio vaccine has kept this country polio-free.

PCV

1st dose of 4

Pneumococcal disease can cause potentially serious and even deadly infections. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine protects against the bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease.

Rotavirus vaccine

1st dose of 2 or 3

Rotavirus can be very dangerous, even deadly for babies and young children. Doctors recommend that your child get two or three doses of the rotavirus vaccine (depending on the brand).

4 months

Protect your baby by providing immunity early in life. Stay on track with the recommended vaccine schedule.

At 4 months of age, your baby receives the following vaccines to develop immunity from potentially harmful diseases.

DTaP vaccine

2nd dose of 5

Hib vaccine

2nd dose of 3 or 4

IPV

2nd dose of 4

PCV

2nd dose of 4

Pneumococcal disease can cause potentially serious and even deadly infections. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine protects against the bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease.

Rotavirus vaccine

2nd dose of 2 or 3

Rotavirus can be very dangerous, even deadly for babies and young children. Doctors recommend that your child get two or three doses of the Rotavirus vaccine (depending on the brand).

6 months

Protect your baby by providing immunity early in life. Stay on track with the recommended vaccine schedule.

At 6 months of age, your baby receives vaccines to develop immunity from potentially harmful diseases.

COVID-19 vaccine

CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older.

DTaP vaccine

3rd dose of 5

Hib vaccine

3rd dose of 4

Hepatitis B vaccine

3rd dose of 3

IPV

3rd dose of 4

PCV

3rd dose of 4

Pneumococcal disease can cause potentially serious and even deadly infections. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine protects against the bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease.

Rotavirus vaccine

3rd dose of 3

Rotavirus can be very dangerous, even deadly for babies and young children. Doctors recommend that your child get two or three doses of the Rotavirus vaccine (depending on the brand).

7 through 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."

Flu vaccine

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

12 through 23 months

By following the recommended schedule and fully immunizing your child by 2 years of age, your child should be protected against 16 vaccine preventable diseases.

Between 12 and 23 months of age, your child receives the following vaccines to continue developing immunity from potentially harmful diseases.

Chickenpox vaccine

1st dose of 2

Chickenpox is a very contagious disease known for its itchy, blister-like rash and a fever. Chickenpox is a mild disease for many, but can be serious, even life-threatening, especially in babies, teenagers, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

DTaP vaccine

4th dose of 5

Flu vaccine

Children should receive flu vaccination every flu season.

Hepatitis A vaccine

1st Dose of 2

Hepatitis A can be a serious, even fatal liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. Children with the virus often don't have symptoms, but they often pass the disease to others, including their unvaccinated parents or caregivers.

Hepatitis B vaccine

3rd dose of 3 between 6 months and 18 months

Hib vaccine

3rd dose of 3 or 4th dose of 4

IPV

3rd dose of 4 between 6 months and 18 months

MMR vaccine

1st dose of 2

The MMR vaccine helps prevent three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). These diseases are contagious and can be serious.

PCV

4th dose of 4

Pneumococcal disease can cause potentially serious and even deadly infections. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine protects against the bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease.

2 through 3 years

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

Flu vaccine

Children should receive flu vaccination every flu season.

Young children

4 through 6 years

Between 4 through 6 years of age, your child should visit the doctor once a year for check-ups. During this time, your child receives the following vaccines.

Chickenpox vaccine

2nd dose of 2

DTaP vaccine

5th dose of 5

Flu vaccine

Children should receive flu vaccination every flu season.

IPV

4th dose of 4

MMR vaccine

2nd dose of 2

The MMR vaccine helps prevent three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). These diseases are contagious and can be serious.

7 through 10 years

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

Flu vaccine

Children should receive flu vaccination every flu season.

Vaccines your child may have missed

Now is a good time for your child to catch up on any missed vaccines. Make an appointment for your child to get caught up if they haven't received vaccines to protect against any of the following diseases:

Chickenpox
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Measles, mumps, and rubella
Polio
Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis)

Preteens and teens

11 through 12 years

There are four vaccines recommended for preteens—these vaccines help protect your children, their friends, and their family members.

Flu vaccine

Children should receive flu vaccination every flu season.

HPV vaccine

2 doses

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can cause several cancers in men and women. HPV vaccination is recommended at ages 11-12 years to help protect against cancers caused by HPV infection. For best protection, most children this age will need two shots of the HPV vaccine, 6-12 months apart.

MenACWY vaccine

1st dose of 2

Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness caused by a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. These bacteria can cause meningococcal meningitis or bloodstream infections, which can be serious, even deadly. The meningococcal vaccine called MenACWY helps protect against four types of the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease (serogroups A, C, W, and Y).

Tdap vaccine

1 dose

A Tdap booster shot protects older children from three serious diseases—diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis). While people of any age in the United States can get all three of these potentially deadly diseases, whooping cough is most common. Preteens and teens who get whooping cough may cough for 10 weeks or more, possibly leading to rib fractures from severe coughing.

13 through 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.

Flu vaccine

Children should receive flu vaccination every flu season.

MenACWY vaccine

2nd dose of 2

MenB vaccine

2 doses

Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness caused by a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. These bacteria can cause meningococcal meningitis and bloodstream infections, which can be serious, even deadly. Meningococcal B vaccine, or MenB vaccine, helps protect against one type of the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease (serogroup B).

Note: CDC does not routinely recommend MenB vaccine for all adolescents. Instead, healthcare providers and parents can discuss the risk of the disease and weigh the risks and benefits of vaccination.

MenABCWY vaccine

1 dose

Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness caused by a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. These bacteria can cause meningococcal meningitis and bloodstream infections, which can be serious, even deadly. Pentavalent meningococcal vaccine, or MenABCWY vaccine, helps protect against five types of the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease (serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y).

Note: MenABCWY vaccine can be given instead of MenACWY and MenB vaccines when both of those vaccines are being given at the same visit. MenABCWY is not given in addition to those two vaccines.

Adults

19 through 26 years

All adults ages 19 through 26 years old should make sure they're up to date on the vaccines listed below. You may need other vaccines based on other factors, too. Talk with your doctor to learn which vaccines are recommended for you.

Chickenpox vaccine

Adults who have never had chickenpox or received chickenpox vaccine should get 2 doses. The doses should be at least 28 days apart.

COVID-19 vaccine

CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older.

Flu vaccine

All adults need a seasonal flu vaccine every year. Flu vaccine is especially important for people with chronic health conditions and pregnant women.

Hepatitis B vaccine

The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all adults, age 19 through 59 years.

HPV vaccine

If you were not vaccinated at a younger age (HPV vaccination is routinely recommended at age 11 or 12 years), then you should also get an HPV vaccine.

MMR vaccine

Adults who do not have presumptive evidence of immunity should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine. Students at post-high school educational institutions who do not have presumptive evidence of immunity need two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.

Td or Tdap vaccine

Every adult should get the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) 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.

In addition, women should get the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks.

27 through 49 years

All adults ages 27 to 49 years should make sure they’re up to date on the vaccines listed below. You may need other vaccines based on other factors, too. Talk with your doctor to learn which vaccines are recommended for you.

COVID-19 vaccine

CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older.

Flu vaccine

All adults need a seasonal flu vaccine every year. Flu vaccine is especially important for people with chronic health conditions and pregnant women.

Hepatitis B vaccine

The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all adults, age 19 through 59 years.

MMR vaccine

Td or Tdap vaccine

In addition, women should get the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks.

50 through 64 years

All adults ages 50 through 64 years should make sure they’re up to date on the vaccines listed below. You may need other vaccines based on other factors, too. Talk with your doctor to learn which vaccines are recommended for you.

COVID-19 vaccine

CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older.

Flu vaccine

All adults need a seasonal flu vaccine every year. Flu vaccine is especially important for people with chronic health conditions.

Pneumococcal vaccine

CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all adults who never received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and are age 50 years or older.

Shingles vaccine

Adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine to prevent shingles and complications from the disease.

Td or Tdap vaccine

60 years or older

As we get older, our immune systems tend to weaken over time, putting us at higher risk for certain diseases.

All adults ages 60 years or older should make sure they’re up to date on the vaccines listed below. You may need other vaccines based on other factors, too. Talk with your doctor to learn which vaccines are recommended for you.

COVID-19 vaccine

CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older. People ages 65 years and older should receive 2 doses of any 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, spaced 6 months apart.

Flu vaccine

All adults need a seasonal flu vaccine every year. Flu vaccine is especially important for people with chronic health conditions.

Pneumococcal vaccine

CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all adults who never received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and are age 50 years or older.

Shingles vaccine

Adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine to prevent shingles and complications from the disease.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine

Adults aged 60 through 74 years at increased risk of severe RSV and all adults aged 75 years or older should get a single dose of RSV vaccine.

Td or Tdap vaccine

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