Vaccines are prepared substances that are introduced into the body to stimulate the natural immune response to fight off a disease. Typically, vaccines are injected via a small needle punctured into the arm, but in some cases they can also be taken by mouth or sprayed into the nose. Vaccines are tested to ensure safety and effectiveness for different demographic groups before being offered to the public. Following a vaccine schedule is an important way to proactively protect yourself, your kids, friends, and family from potentially life-threatening diseases. When you have been vaccinated, you are considered to have immunization to the disease.
Infant and toddler immunizations
Knowing the child vaccine schedule can help proactively protect your children from diseases and viruses that they may encounter. The age range that coincides with the infant to toddler child vaccine schedule is from birth until 2 years old. Give your infant a healthy start by ensuring they are vaccinated as advised by the CDC. The following vaccines are recommended for this age range.
Chicken Pox (varicella) Vaccine
Recommended at 12-15 months
Hepatitis A
1st dose recommended at 12-23 months
2nd dose recommended 6 months following 1st
Hepatitis B
1st dose recommended shortly after birth
2nd dose recommended 1-2 months after birth
3rd dose recommended through 6-18 months
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) Vaccine
Recommended at 12-15 months
Pneumococcal (PCV13) Vaccine
1st dose recommended at 2 months
2nd dose recommended at 4 months
3rd dose recommended at 6 months
4th dose recommended between 12-15 months
Polio (IPV) Vaccine
1st dose at 2 months
2nd dose at 4 months
3rd dose between 6-18 months
Rotavirus (RV) Vaccine
1st dose at 2 months
2nd dose at 4 months
Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine
1st dose recommended at 2 months
2nd dose recommended at 4 months
3rd dose recommended at 6 months
4th dose recommended between 12-18 months
Pre-school and elementary school immunizations
According to the CDC, some schools require proof of vaccination for children to be able to be registered in preschool or elementary school. Making sure your child is up-to-date with their vaccinations is integral to their health when they enter their school years. The child vaccination schedule for ages 4-6 is listed below.
Chicken Pox (varicella) Vaccine
Recommended between 4-6 years old
Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine
Recommended between 4-6 years old
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) Vaccine
Recommended between 4-6 years old
Polio (IPV) Vaccine
Recommended between 4-6 years old
Flu Vaccine
Every year by the end of October
Immunizations for teens
As children age, the effectiveness of vaccines that they got administered when they were younger weakens. Thus requiring additional doses to maintain immunity. Some new vaccinations are introduced as children reach adolescence and will become exposed to new experiences and possible diseases.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
1st dose recommended between 11-12 years old
2nd dose recommended 6-8 months after
Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine
1st dose recommended between 11-12 years old
2nd dose at 16 years old
Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccine
Can be given between 16-23 years old (talk to doctor if interested)
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine
Recommended between 11-12 years old
Flu Vaccine
Every year by the end of October
Pregnancy
Before and during pregnancy are important times to update your vaccinations. When you receive vaccinations while pregnant, you can pass down the immunity to your baby and protect them from possible diseases they may encounter within the first few months after birth.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
1 month before pregnancy
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine
During third trimester of every pregnancy
Flu Vaccine
Every year by the end of October
Immunizations for adults
Keeping up with your vaccinations into adulthood is still very important. If you are travelling to other countries, you may need specific vaccinations prior to entering the country. Be sure to check with your health care provider before going on your trip.
Flu Vaccine
Every year by the end of October
Shingles Vaccine
Healthy adults over the age of 50
Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine
Every 10 years
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Adults 65 years or older, followed by one dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccine
It is highly recommended by the CDC that adults stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 booster vaccinations to continue to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. If you suspect that you have contracted COVID-19, please visit us today at Your Health Lab in Texas to book your COVID-19 test.
The bottom line
Staying on-top of your vaccinations for both yourself, and your children is crucial to the health of our population. Please refer back to this vaccine schedule to assist in your vaccination planning. If you have questions about vaccinations, or lab tests for some of the diseases listed above, please contact Your Health Lab in Texas today.