Mother’s Vaccination Guide For Newborn Babies

By
Mercy Ekele
-
A child sits on the examination table in the doctor's office and receives an injection.

Vaccination helps to protect your child against many different infections and diseases.

The infant vaccine schedule starts at birth. Your newborn will receive their first shots within their first months of life. Your child may receive certain vaccines within a range of ages. Your child’s pediatrician may follow different guidelines. You should speak with your child’s pediatrician about which vaccines your child should receive and when.

The recommended vaccines by age include:
Birth Vaccine

Vaccines for babies include their first doses of Hepatitis B (HepB).

Read also: What To Do When Babies Are Teething

1- to 2-month Vaccine

  • Hepatitis B (HepB).
2-month Vaccines

Babies get several shots at 2 months of age. The DTaP vaccine schedule starts at 2 months. Your baby will get their first dose of:
  • Rotavirus (RV).
  • Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP).
  • Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).
  • Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13).
  • Inactivated poliovirus (IPV).
4-month Vaccines

For their 4-month shots, babies get a second dose of the vaccines they received at their 2-month appointment. These include:
  • Rotavirus (RV).
  • Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP).
  • Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).
  • Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13).
  • Inactivated poliovirus (IPV).
6-month Vaccines

At 6 months of age, your child may start to receive the influenza vaccine annually. In addition, your child may or may not need a third dose of the RV and Hib vaccines, depending on the brand your child’s healthcare provider used for their previous doses.
  • Influenza.
  • Rotavirus (RV).
  • Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).
  • Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP).
  • Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13).
6- to 18-month Vaccines

The timing of your baby’s third dose of these vaccines will depend on their healthcare provider’s recommendation. Six- to 18-month shots may include:
  • Hepatitis B (HepB).
  • Inactivated poliovirus (IPV).
Hepatitis B (HepB)
The hepatitis B vaccine can help protect your child against hepatitis B.
Rotavirus (RV)
The rotavirus vaccine can help protect your child against rotavirus. Rotavirus is a viral infection that can cause fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
Diphtheria, Tetanus And Acellular Pertussis (DTaP)
The DTaP vaccine can help protect your child against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
The Hib vaccine can help protect your child against the most common type of Haemophilus influenzae bacteria.
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13)
The PCV13 vaccine can help protect your child against pneumococcus bacterial infections. These infections include pneumonia and meningitis.
Inactivated poliovirus (IPV)
The inactivated poliovirus (IPV) vaccine can help protect your child against infections of polio.
Influenza
The influenza virus vaccine can help protect your child against the flu (influenza). Your child may get the influenza vaccine each year. They may receive one or two doses. They may receive their first dose at 6 months old and their second dose at least 1 month later.
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine can help protect your child against measles, mumps and rubella. Your child will receive two doses of the MMR combination vaccine. They’ll receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and their second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. The MMR vaccine may be combined with the VAR vaccine (MMRV).
Varicella (VAR)
The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine can help protect your child against chickenpox. Your child will receive two doses of the varicella vaccine. They’ll receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and their second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. The varicella vaccine may be combined with the MMR vaccine (MMRV).

Read also: Simple Things You Can Do To Help Your Newborn Baby’s Development

Hepatitis A (HepA)
The hepatitis A vaccine can help protect your child against hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a type of liver disease. Your child will receive the HepA vaccine as a two-dose series. Your child will receive their first dose between 12 and 23 months and their second dose at least six months later.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
The HPV vaccine can help protect your child against diseases caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). These diseases include:
Children who start the HPV vaccine before they turn 15 years old only need two doses, given six to 12 months apart. This is because younger immune systems generate more immunity.
Other vaccines
Your child’s pediatrician may recommend additional vaccines if your child is at a high risk of certain infections or diseases. They’ll also provide a revised vaccination schedule if your child has missed any vaccine doses during their recommended time frames.

Trending video of the day;

Photo credit: Getty