Recommended Vaccines For Children and Teens

Your health and wellbeing are more important than ever – for yourself and your developing baby. Getting recommended vaccines during pregnancy protects you both. That's because you will pass on some temporary protection until your baby is old enough to get vaccinated. Some people may need additional vaccines during pregnancy. Your doctor or midwife can provide more information. The following vaccines are recommended during pregnancy:

Tdap: Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Whooping Cough (Pertussis) 

• By vaccinating during pregnancy and asking other family members and caregivers to do the same, you are giving your newborn protection from potentially severe, life-threatening diseases, including whooping cough (pertussis). 
• Pregnant people should get a dose of Tdap during every pregnancy between 27 through 36 weeks. 

RSV

RSV is a common virus that affects the lungs. It can be very dangerous for babies and older adults. It’s the leading cause of hospitalization in babies. Fortunately, there are two options to protect babies from severe RSV illness, and most babies only need one:

• Option 1: RSV Vaccine During Pregnancy (Abrysvo)
• Option 2: RSV Antibody for Babies (Nirsevimab or Clesrovimab)

Flu and COVID

You can get your flu shot before, during or after pregnancy. It's recommended to get your flu shot during fall or winter. It's a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your baby from flu. Pregnant people are more likely to have severe illness from flu, possibly due to changes in immune, heart, and lung functions during pregnancy. Flu may also be harmful to a pregnant person’s developing baby.

More from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy can protect you from severe illness.

Find COVID-19 vaccines in Vermont

By following the recommended schedule, by the time your child is 2 years old, they should be protected against 16 vaccine-preventable diseases. They need additional protection before starting kindergarten. 

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause itchy blisters, fever and other symptoms. While usually mild for most children, in some cases, it can lead to more serious complications such as pneumonia or encephalitis. Babies under a year old are at higher risk of getting very sick.

• First dose between 12-15 months old.
• Second dose between 4-6 years old.
• Most people who are vaccinated with two doses will be protected for life.

Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)

The DTaP vaccine has virtually eliminated diphtheria and tetanus in childhood and has greatly reduced the number of whooping cough (pertussis) cases. It may be hard to know if a baby has whooping cough because many babies with this disease don’t cough at all. Instead, it can cause them to stop breathing and turn blue. Babies need three shots of DTaP to build up high levels of protection against these diseases, plus two additional doses as young children to keep that protection through early childhood.

AAP recommends shots at the following ages:

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 15 through 18 months
• 4 through 6 years

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) can cause serious illness and death in babies and children younger than 5 years old.

AAP recommends shots at the following ages:

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months (if needed; depends on brand)
• 12 through 15 months

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

This vaccine provides safe and effective protection against three different diseases caused by viruses - measles, mumps, and rubella. The more people who get vaccinated, the harder it is for viruses to spread and make other people sick. Getting your child vaccinated helps protect them and other children, community members, and those who cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons.

• First dose at 12 to 15 months of age
• Second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. 

Polio (IPV) 

Vaccinating your child against polio helps protect them from a highly contagious viral infection that can cause paralysis and even death.

Children should get four doses of polio vaccine at the following ages:

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 through 18 months
• 4 through 6 years

Pneumococcal (PCV)

Vaccines help prevent pneumococcal disease, which is any type of illness caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Pneumococcal diseases can cause serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.

Four doses are recommended at ages:

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 12-15 months

Hepatitis A (HepA)

Vaccinating your child against Hepatitis A is important because it helps protect them from a highly contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus. This virus is usually spread through contaminated food or water and can cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and jaundice.  It also protects them from spreading the disease, since children under six typically don’t have symptoms, so they often pass the disease to others without anyone knowing they were infected.

• One dose at 12-23 months.
• Second dose six months after the first one.

Hepatitis B (HepB)

Hepatitis B is a contagious liver disease caused by a virus. It is spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids. The Hepatitis B vaccine helps protect children from the virus that can cause serious liver damage and even liver cancer. Some people clear the virus after infection. For other people, it becomes a chronic condition causing serious health problems. Infected babies usually become chronic.

• First dose shortly after birth.
• Second dose at 1-2 months.
• Third dose between 6-18 months. 

Rotavirus

Rotavirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis in young children. Vaccination can protect your child from severe diarrhea and vomiting with rotavirus, and significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization and complications associated with the infection.

Two or three doses of the vaccine drops are recommended at ages: 

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months (depending on brand)

Annual Respiratory Virus Season Vaccines

 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants in the U.S. Babies are at higher risk for developing severe RSV because their immune systems and lungs are still developing. Severe RSV can cause lung inflammation (bronchiolitis) or lung infection (pneumonia) that can make breathing difficult. 

There are two ways to give babies added protection during RSV season:

1. Pregnant people can get the RSV vaccine at the end of pregnancy (32 – 36 weeks) from September through January. 

   OR

2. Infants and some older babies can get protective medicine (also called preventive or monoclonal antibody products) given as a shot from October through March.

Learn more about RSV vaccines and protective medicines for infants.

Influenza (Flu)

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get an annual flu shot by the end of October, if possible. The flu vaccine prevents the flu or makes flu symptoms less severe, so kids don't miss out on school and activities. 

Visit our flu prevention web page

COVID-19

Like the flu shot, everyone 6 months and older should get an annual dose of COVID-19 vaccine (after the primary vaccines series) to stay protected against infection and serious illness. See more on COVID-19 vaccines

Your child is growing up! As they go out and begin to experience the world, staying on track with vaccinations is essential to their health and safety. See the recommended adolescent and teen vaccination schedule (AAP)

Your preteen or teen should receive vaccines to help protect against these diseases:

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Protect your child from certain cancers later in life with the HPV vaccine.

• HPV vaccines can be given starting at age 9 years.
• Preteens ages 11–12 years should get two doses of HPV vaccine, given 6 to 12 months apart.
• Teens who start the HPV vaccine series on or after their 15th birthday need three doses, given over 6 months.

Meningococcal Disease (MenACWY)

This vaccine protects against the types of bacteria that cause meningococcal diseases like infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (meningococcemia). It also protects against the long-term disabilities that often come with surviving meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease often occurs without warning – even among people who are otherwise healthy.

• Preteens ages 11–12 years should get the first dose.
• Teens get a second dose at 16 years. 

Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis) (Tdap)

This is the vaccine that protects against potentially serious and even deadly diseases of whooping cough (pertussis), diphtheria and tetanus.

• Younger children are recommended to get several DTaP doses at earlier ages.
• One Tdap dose is typically given at age 11–12 years for continued protection from these diseases for adolescents and adults.

Meningococcal B Disease (MenB)

While the risk of Meningococcal B disease (MenB) increases during late adolescence and early adulthood, overall, the risk of this disease is very low. For this reason, and a lack of data on vaccine effectiveness and how long the vaccine can provide protection, the AAP has not included this vaccine in the recommended vaccine schedule for all adolescents.

• Teens and young adults ages 16-23 who are not at increased risk may get the vaccine if they wish after speaking to a provider.

Annual Respiratory Virus Season Vaccines

Influenza (Flu)

Everyone 6 months of age and older should get an annual flu shot by the end of October, if possible. The flu vaccine prevents the flu or makes flu symptoms less severe, so kids don't miss out on school and activities. 

Visit our flu prevention web page

COVID-19

Like the flu shot, everyone 6 months and older should get an annual dose of COVID-19 vaccine (after the primary vaccines series) to stay protected against infection and serious illness. See more on COVID-19 vaccines