They say timing is everything, and that's definitely the case when it comes to childhood vaccines. They're most effective when they're given at the right time — and lots of careful consideration goes into deciding when exactly that is.[1]
How is the child and adolescent vaccine schedule determined?
In coming up with the best vaccine schedule for your baby, experts take into consideration age-specific risks for diseases and complications, and age-specific immune responses to the vaccines.
Once doctors have that information, they decide on a timetable for each vaccine that will safely and effectively protect children at the youngest possible age.[2]
Sticking to the recommended vaccine schedule is strongly advised to make sure that your baby has the most protection possible from an array of serious diseases.
It's definitely understandable to be worried about giving your little one so many vaccines in a relatively short period of time. So talk with your pediatrician with any questions or concerns. But rest assured that your doctor will recommend what's right for your little one to give her a healthy start in life.
"Vaccinating your child might be one of the most important things you can do to ensure your child's overall health," says Kyle Monk, M.D. a board-certified pediatrician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, and member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board. "Vaccines are safe and well-studied, and prevent many life-threatening illnesses."
Young children, especially those in day care, are frequently exposed to many respiratory illnesses that can be prevented through vaccinations, she adds.
Get all the details you need about your baby's well visits, vaccine appointments, and health — from experts and other parents — in the What to Expect app.
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What is the recommended baby vaccine schedule?
Wondering what vaccines your child needs and when? You can take a look at the recommended vaccine schedule put out each year or ask your pediatrician, who will give your baby all the necessary vaccines at the appropriate well-baby checkups.
By staying up-to-date with your baby’s vaccine schedule, you'll ensure that your little one will get the best protection possible against vaccine-preventable diseases at just the right time. And you’ll also be protecting your family, friends, and community. Vaccines are crucial for immunity and protection against potentially harmful diseases like measles, polio, RSV, whooping cough, COVID-19, and the flu, to name a few.[3]
The FDA extensively tests and approves all vaccines and continues to monitor their safety. If you follow your doctor’s advice and stick to the recommended vaccine schedule and timing, you’ll help prevent illnesses that have claimed the lives of many babies, toddlers, and older children.
"Vaccines are incredibly safe and provide protection from a multitude of diseases that are varying levels of horrific themselves," says What to Expect Community parent jmlb554, in response to another mom who says she has vaccine anxiety with her newborn. "Vaccine injuries do happen, but they’re very, very rare."
- Timing is everything when it comes to childhood vaccinations. Leading expert groups take into account age-specific risks for disease, age-specific risks for complications, and age-specific immune responses when deciding on the right schedule for your little one to be vaccinated.
- Vaccines have been shown to be safe. The FDA extensively tests and approves all vaccines, and continues to monitor their safety.
- Staying up-to-date on your child's vaccinations is so important for your baby's health. It also helps protect your friends, family, and greater community. If you get off-schedule with any of your child’s routine vaccinations, let the pediatrician know right away. They can help you get back on track.
Can I delay vaccines for my child if I want to?
Unless there's a valid health-related problem with your child getting specific vaccines on time, it's not usually a good idea to delay vaccines for your baby. It is especially important to follow the recommended vaccine schedule during flu season, when there may be many viruses circulating.
Delayed vaccinations can also result in children catching preventable illnesses or needlessly being sick at a time when hospitals may be overwhelmed. Another reason to keep up with the vaccine schedule is that children who fall behind on their shots are statistically less likely to be fully vaccinated later on (and therefore less protected).
However, if you still want more information about an alternate vaccine schedule for your baby or toddler, talk it over with your pediatrician to come up with a plan that works for you and still keeps your baby (and others around her) safe. If you miss one or more of your child's routine vaccinations, make an appointment with your doctor to get back on track.
What should I do if I'm worried about vaccines?
Your child’s doctor is the best person to advise you on any vaccine questions or concerns you may have. So be sure to ask your pediatrician if you're unclear or worried about anything involving vaccinating your baby.[4]
"Many families are understandingly apprehensive to vaccinate due to a lot of medical skepticism," says Dr. Monk. "I try to reassure families that vaccines have been extensively studied and are continuously monitored for any adverse effects."
Know, too, that even though there can be some tears and discomfort along the way (potentially for both of you!), the process is over quickly.
"Getting my son's vaccines was definitely sad — he wasn't happy about them — but the nurse who gave them said, 'I know he's unhappy right now, but he would be a lot unhappier if he got sick instead.' That made me feel much better about it!" says What to Expect Community mom fritsky. "He was over the pain of his shots after five minutes, but if he got sick, I know he would be much worse off."
You can also provide plenty of comfort to your little one during vaccine appointments by soothing your baby and staying calm yourself.
“Each time we needed a new vaccine, I just nursed my baby throughout or right after, and he was happy as a clam in no time,” says What to Expect Community user mamaallama23.
The bottom line? No matter what you may read or hear to the contrary, following the proper vaccine schedule for your child is undoubtedly the best way to protect your baby's health — now, and in the future.
"Going online, you're always going to hear more horror stories than not because people who have a positive/neutral experience with vaccines aren't going to share (there's nothing to share about)," says What to Expect mom fritsky. "As long as you have a doctor you trust, I would go with their advice and know that they have your baby's best interest in mind."
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