What are the Recommended Baby Immunizations?

The standard schedule of recommended baby immunizations includes five various shots. These include hepatitis B (hep B), influenza type B (HiB), polio (IPV), pneumococcal conjugate (PCV), and a combination immunization that covers diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP). The inoculations are given at various times during the baby's first year of life, with some being administered shortly after birth. Most baby immunizations involve multiple doses as well as follow-up shots later in life.

The hep B vaccine is designed to prevent hepatitis, a potentially fatal liver disease. The first hep B vaccine in the recommended baby immunizations schedule should be administered at birth. Follow-up shots, sometimes referred to as boosters, should be given between the first and second month, with a third dose given between months 6 and 18. Another form of hepatitis, known as hepatitis A, can also be vaccinated against between the ages of 1 and 2 and consists of two separate shots given at least six months apart from one another.

The HiB vaccine helps to protect against Haemophilus influenza type B, a version of the flu that infants are particularly prone to and that may lead to other complications, such as meningitis, epiglottis, or pneumonia. The initial HiB dose is given when the baby reaches 2 months. Boosters are then administered at 4 and 6 months of age. Certain types of the HiB vaccine may eliminate the need for the six-month booster, including PedvaxHiB and ComVax. A final dose is given between the baby's 12th and 15th months.

IPV vaccinations are created using inactive strains of polio in order to force the body to build up a natural resistance to the disease. Parents following the general guidelines for baby immunizations should make sure their infant receives the IPV vaccine at the age of 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months. Subsequent shots can be given when the child reaches the age of 4 and again at the age of 6.

The PCV vaccine can help prevent pneumococcal disease. The PCV inoculation is typically administered at the age of 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months, often in conjunction with the IPV vaccine. A final booster is given when the child turns 1.

The final vaccination on the recommend list of baby immunizations is the DTaP vaccine. Designed to inoculate against three different diseases, this vaccine is also one of the most crucial. The DTaP vaccine should be administered six times overall, with the first three shots given at the ages of 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months. Follow-up shots are given around the child's first, fifth, and 11th birthdays.