Child Immunization: How Many Shots Do Children Need?

The immune system of children is more vulnerable to infection and illnesses. Immunization is a way to protect your child from getting many different preventable diseases and illnesses as early as possible.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes a child immunization schedule every year. The child immunization schedule refers to a list of common vaccines your child should receive as eligible.

Let’s talk about how many vaccine shots children need, some common vaccines involved in child immunization, and where you can go to receive top-notch care for your child IN St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida.

Number Of Vaccine Shots Your Child Needs

Typically, a child should receive the first doses of vaccines during the first two years of their life. By the age of 15 months, your child should receive up to 10 different types of vaccines. These vaccines have many doses that are administered as your child is eligible.

The additional doses of vaccines are administered in the first 15 months and other vaccines are administered between the age of 15 months and 16 years.

If your child has a weakened immune system or is suffering from chronic disease, it’s in the best of your interest to visit a pediatrician for a different immunization schedule for your child.

Vaccines Included in Child’s Immunization Program

There are multiple vaccines included in a child’s immunization schedule. Some of these require multiple doses at specific ages, from birth to 18 years old.

Following are some vaccines and their doses recommended by CDC.

• Hepatitis B (HepB) – Three doses of vaccine.
  • 1^stdose within 12 hours of birth
  • 2^nd dose between age 1 to 2 months
  • 3^rd dose between 6 to 18 months of age.
• Rotavirus (RV) – Two or three doses starting at the age of two months
• Haemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib) – Three to four doses of vaccine.
  • 1^st dose at 2 months of age
  • 2^nd dose at 4 months of age
  • 3^rd dose at 6 months of age
  • Final dose between 12 and 15 months of age.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP)– Five doses of this combination vaccine.
  • 1^st dose at the age of 2 months
  • 2^nd dose at the age of 4 months
  • 3^rd dose at the age of 6 months
  • 4^th dose between the age of 15 and 18 months
  • 5^th dose between the age of 4 and 6 years.
• Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) – Four doses of vaccine in total.
  • 1^st dose at 2 months of age
  • 2^nd dose at the age of 4 months
  • 3^rd dose at the age of 6 months
  • 4^th dose between the age of 12 and 15 months
• Inactivated poliovirus (IPV) – Four doses of the vaccine in total.
  • 1^st dose at the age of 2 months
  • 2^nd dose at the age of 4 months
  • 3^rd dose between 6 and 18 weeks of age
  • 4^th dose between 4 and 6 years of age
• Influenza – You can get your child an influenza vaccine each year. However, it is a must for your child to receive a least two doses of vaccine.
  • 1^stdose at the age of 6 months
  • 2^nd dose one month after 1^st dose
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) – Two doses of this combination vaccine.
  • 1^stdose between 12 and 15 months of age
  • 2^nddose between 4 and 6 years of age
• Varicella (VAR) – Two doses in total.
  • 1^stdose between the age of 12 and 15 months
  • 2^nddose between the age of 4 to 6 years
• Hepatitis A (HepA) – Two doses in total.
  • 1^stdose between 12 and 23 months of age
  • 2^nddose at least 6 months after the first dose

In addition to these, some other vaccines your child should receive include the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, meningococcal vaccine, and dengue vaccine (in areas where the dengue fever rate is high as per the CDC immunization schedule published in 2022).

Childhood Immunization in St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida

If you want to keep your children protected and up-to-date with their vaccination, don’t hesitate to contact us at the Children’s Medical Center. Our team of highly skilled and compassionate pediatricians provides comprehensive healthcare for patients of all ages up to the age of 18. We also help parents plan the right immunization schedule for their child’s needs.

To know more about our services or make an appointment with us, contact us at one of our four convenient office locations in Palm Harbor, Westchase, Trinity, and Lutz. We look forward to helping you keep your child safe!