Well-child visits play a vital role in keeping your child healthy throughout the years. These exams provide an opportunity for your pediatrician to:
- Examine your child’s growth and development
- Discuss age-specific health, behavior, and safety issues
- Provide routine immunizations, vision screening and lab work
- Address any questions you may have regarding your child’s health and development
Scheduled vaccination against illnesses like measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox (caused by the varicella-zoster virus) are an important part of your child’s overall well-being.
“Vaccinations not only prevent the spread of potentially dangerous infectious diseases, but they also strengthen your child’s immune response to help fight off illnesses,” said Dr. Natalia Tutak, an SSM Health pediatrician in Oklahoma City. “Receiving vaccinations at the recommended age can also help fight off illnesses that could be serious enough for hospitalization or worse.”
Each recommended vaccine is carefully reviewed by hundreds of doctors before it is approved for use. From there, doctors and other medical experts weigh the safety of the vaccine and the risk of the illness to determine its inclusion in the schedule, as well as the timing of when children should receive the vaccine. When it comes to the recommended timing of vaccines, there is a standard schedule in the United States for families to follow, but always check with your family’s pediatrician to ensure each vaccine and its timing is right for your little one.
Here are recommended vaccines by age:
Birth
- Hepatitis B (Hep B)
1 to 2 months
- Hepatitis B vaccine (Hep B)
- Diphtheria, tetanus and whopping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
- Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
- Polio (IPV)
- Pneumococcal (PCV)
- Rotavirus (RV)
4 months
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Polio (IPV)
- Pneumococcal (PCV)
- Rotavirus (RV)
- Hepatitis B (HepB)
6 months
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Polio (IPV)
- Pneumococcal (PCV)
- Rotavirus (RV)
- This may be given depending on the version of vaccine your child received.
- A fourth dose of Hep B is approved when Hep B is given in a combo vaccine.
- Influenza (flu)
Seasonal & COVID-19
Babies 6 months and older are typically recommended to receive flu vaccinations every autumn. When a child is receiving a flu shot for the first time, they will receive two doses separated by one month. Each subsequent year it is only one dose.
COVID-19 vaccinations are safe for children ages 6 months and older.
12 to 23 months
- Chickenpox (Varicella)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Two doses of Hepatitis A (HepA)
2 to 3 years old
Your child should visit the doctor once a year for well-child visits during the ages of 2-3 years old. Your pediatrician may encourage additional visits during this time.
4 to 6 years old
During these ages, your child should continue to visit the doctor once a year for routine well-child exams.
During this time, your child will likely receive the following vaccinations:
- Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
- Polio (IPV)
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Chickenpox (varicella)
- Influenza (flu) every year
Stay on track by scheduling your child’s wellness exam at an SSM Health location today, or find a pediatrician near you.
7 to 10 years old
During these ages, your child should continue to visit the doctor once a year for regular well-child visits.
11 to 12 years old
- First dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine
- Two doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
16 years old
- Second dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine
- Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB)
Looking Forward
As you guide your child through adolescence and their teen years, one milestone that needs to be considered is integrating them into their own health care. The best health outcomes often come from developing relationships and taking part in an active process of health-minded, lifelong decisions, so starting early puts young people on a trajectory for success. Learn more about how to help your teen begin managing his or her own health care.
Stay on track by scheduling your child’s wellness exam at an SSM Health location today, or find a pediatrician near you.
As always, if you or someone around you is experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.
