Those first pediatric visits can feel like a blur of weight checks, feeding questions, and vaccinations. A baby vaccine schedule shows which immunizations are commonly given at each age, when repeat doses are due, and where your child’s health history may change the plan. For U.S. families, use the schedule as a roadmap rather than a rigid checklist.
Which U.S. vaccine schedule should parents follow?
The CDC vaccine schedule for babies organizes immunizations by age and includes guidance for children who start late or have particular medical conditions. Recommendations have also been under review. Following a March 2026 court order, the CDC identifies its July 2025 by-age schedule as the current federal schedule for clinicians. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published separate 2026 recommendations. Ask your pediatrician which guidance informs your baby’s care.
Most vaccines require several doses because protection develops or strengthens over time. Some are given during the same visit, and combination vaccines can protect against several diseases with fewer injections.
Baby vaccine schedule by age: birth through 18 months
Birth: hepatitis B and possible RSV protection
The longstanding routine schedule includes a hepatitis B vaccine dose shortly after birth. Birth weight and the mother’s hepatitis B screening result affect the instructions. Infants born to mothers who have hepatitis B generally need the vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin within 12 hours of delivery. Discuss the birth-dose plan with the hospital team before discharge.
Some newborns also qualify for protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with a preventive antibody injection, particularly when their mother did not receive an appropriate RSV vaccine during pregnancy. This antibody treatment is not itself a vaccine.
1 to 2 months: hepatitis B follow-up
A second hepatitis B dose is commonly scheduled at 1 to 2 months under the routine series. Your clinician will use the birth record and any combination vaccine planned for later visits to determine the next date.
2 months: the first major infant vaccine visit
The familiar baby shots schedule usually includes initial doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough), Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, and inactivated polio vaccine. Rotavirus vaccine is given by mouth rather than by injection. These immunizations protect against infections that can be especially serious during infancy.
Ask which combination products your clinic uses; the number of shots may differ without changing the diseases covered. For more detail, see our two-month baby shots guide.
4 months: building on the first doses
At four months, babies generally receive second doses of DTaP, Hib, pneumococcal, polio, and rotavirus vaccines. These repeats build protection. The exact Hib and rotavirus product determines how many total doses are needed.
6 months: several series continue
At six months, a third DTaP dose and another pneumococcal dose are typically due. Some babies also need third Hib and rotavirus doses, depending on the product. The third polio dose and final hepatitis B dose can fall within broader age windows, so they might be given now or later.
Influenza vaccination begins at six months, with annual protection recommended in the established pediatric schedule. Children receiving influenza vaccine for the first time may need two doses at least four weeks apart. COVID-19 vaccination guidance has changed; discuss current eligibility and recommendations with your pediatrician.
12 to 18 months: first toddler vaccines and boosters
Around the first birthday, children generally receive their first measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and chickenpox (varicella) vaccines. Hepatitis A is a two-dose series beginning at 12 to 23 months, with the second dose at least six months later. Hib and pneumococcal boosters are commonly given at 12 to 15 months; the fourth DTaP dose is usually due at 15 to 18 months.
The schedule continues beyond infancy, including booster doses around ages four to six years.
Why aren’t all vaccines given at once?
Vaccine timing reflects when children become vulnerable, how well each vaccine works, and the intervals needed between doses. A delayed dose does not necessarily mean restarting a series, but an early dose may not count if given before a minimum age or interval. That is why your pediatrician should calculate catch-up timing.
What if your baby misses an appointment?
Call the clinic and request a catch-up plan. Most interrupted vaccine series can continue without starting over. Rotavirus is a notable exception because it has strict age limits for beginning and completing the series. Prematurity, immune conditions, previous allergic reactions, and travel can also affect the plan.
For example, if a baby misses the four-month checkup and returns at five months, the practice can review doses received at two months and schedule valid follow-ups. Our guide to catching up on missed baby vaccines covers helpful questions for that visit.
What to expect after your baby’s vaccines
Common short-lived reactions include tenderness at the injection site, fussiness, sleepiness, and mild fever. Some babies have no noticeable symptoms. Comfort and feed your child as usual, and ask for age- and weight-appropriate advice before giving fever medicine. Never give aspirin to a child.
Get urgent medical help for trouble breathing, facial swelling, or other signs of a severe allergic reaction. A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in an infant younger than three months needs prompt medical assessment, regardless of vaccination history. See our baby vaccine side effects article for more guidance.
Make the schedule useful at every visit
Keep a photo of the immunization record and request an updated copy after each visit. Before leaving, confirm the next due date, whether any doses require a return appointment, and whom to call about symptoms. When changing pediatricians, share the record so the new clinic knows which products and doses were given.
Frequently asked questions
How many shots does a two-month-old get?
It varies with the combination vaccines used. The visit generally covers DTaP, Hib, pneumococcal, polio, and oral rotavirus vaccination, with hepatitis B sometimes included.
Can babies receive several vaccines in one visit?
Yes. Giving recommended vaccines together has been studied and is standard practice in the infant immunization schedule. Your clinician can review individual precautions.
Does a delayed vaccine mean starting over?
Usually not. Most series resume using catch-up intervals, although rotavirus has age limits that require special attention.
Is the vaccine schedule identical for every baby?
No. Prematurity, maternal infection status, medical conditions, products used, and updated recommendations can affect timing. Your pediatrician should individualize the plan.
A clear plan, one visit at a time
The baby vaccine schedule is easier to manage when you focus on the next appointment rather than memorizing every dose. Check current guidance with your pediatrician, keep accurate records, and ask about missed or special-case vaccines. That routine helps your child receive protection at appropriate times.