About vaccination schedules

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) makes recommendations on which vaccines children should get. They have created vaccination schedules that tell you which vaccines are recommended, and when your child should get them.

A few facts about CDC vaccination schedules:

 

Health care professionals (HCPs) refer to them. Your child’s HCP will use the CDC vaccination schedules to decide the number of doses of a vaccine to administer, and when to administer them. If your child misses a dose, the vaccination schedule also gives your child’s HCP guidance on when to administer the next dose.

 

 

They’re based on a large amount of research. Each recommendation in the CDC vaccination schedules is well founded. They’re approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AGOG), and based on a large amount of research.

 

 

Some vaccines in the schedule require more than one dose. For some vaccines, you’ll notice that more than one dose is recommended. Talk to your HCP about getting the right number of doses at the right time.

 

 

They give guidance for people at increased risk for certain diseases. The schedules also include information regarding vaccinations for people that may be at increased risk for particular diseases. For example, people traveling to certain areas of the world may receive vaccinations to help protect them from diseases that may be present in the locations they are visiting.

 

 

Some HCP offices help you to stay on schedule with vaccines by allowing vaccination visits with a nurse. Ask your HCP if a nurse-only appointment is an option.

 

 

Keeping up with vaccination schedules

Learn about the importance of staying on schedule and getting all recommended doses in a vaccine series.

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Common questions about vaccination