Understanding Vaccination Schedules: What Age to Get Which Injections
Deciding when to get vaccinated is a crucial part of maintaining your health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. The vaccination schedule varies depending on your age, health status, and the specific vaccines available. In this article, we will delve into the details of the vaccination schedule, focusing on the age at which you should receive each vaccine.
Childhood Vaccinations
Childhood is a critical period for vaccination, as many diseases can have severe consequences for young children. The following table outlines the recommended vaccination schedule for children from birth to 6 years old:
| Age | Vaccine | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (0-2 months) | Hepatitis B | Protects against hepatitis B virus, which can cause liver disease and cancer. |
| 2 months | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP) | Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. |
| 4 months | Hepatitis B, DTaP, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) | Protects against hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib, and pneumococcal infections. |
| 6 months | DTaP, Hib, PCV, rotavirus | Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib, pneumococcal infections, and rotavirus diarrhea. |
| 12-15 months | MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), varicella (chickenpox), hepatitis A | Protects against measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and hepatitis A. |
| 18 months | DTaP, Hib, PCV, hepatitis A | Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib, pneumococcal infections, and hepatitis A. |
| 4-6 years | DTaP, polio, meningococcal conjugate (MCV4), varicella, hepatitis A | Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, meningococcal infections, chickenpox, and hepatitis A. |
Adolescent Vaccinations
Adolescents need to continue receiving vaccinations to maintain their immunity and protect against new and emerging threats. The following table outlines the recommended vaccination schedule for adolescents aged 11-18 years:
| Age | Vaccine | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 11-12 years | Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) | Protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. |
| 11-12 years | HPV (human papillomavirus) | Protects against HPV, which can cause cervical cancer and other cancers. |
| 11-12 years | Meningococcal conjugate (MCV4) | Protects against meningococcal infections, which can cause meningitis and sepsis. |
| 16 years | Meningococcal B | Protects against meningococcal B infections, which can cause meningitis and sepsis. |