Complete 2026 Baby Vaccination Schedule Guide

Check the complete vaccination schedule from newborn to age 6, including free national immunization programs. Here's the 2026 schedule and important notes.

Why Vaccination is Important

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect babies from serious diseases before their immune system is fully developed. Vaccines have been proven safe through decades of research and clinical trials.

2026 Vaccination Schedule

Timing follows the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended schedule for 2026, which is largely unchanged from its 2025 guidance.

Birth to 1 Month

Vaccine	Timing	Dose
Hepatitis B	At birth	1st

2 Months

Vaccine	Dose
Hepatitis B	2nd
DTaP	1st
Hib	1st
IPV (Polio)	1st
PCV (Pneumococcal)	1st
Rotavirus	1st

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4 Months

Vaccine	Dose
DTaP	2nd
Hib	2nd
IPV	2nd
PCV	2nd
Rotavirus	2nd

6 Months

Vaccine	Dose
Hepatitis B	3rd (Complete)
DTaP	3rd
Hib	3rd
IPV	3rd
PCV	3rd
Rotavirus	3rd (Complete)
Influenza	Annual, starting at 6 months

12-15 Months

Vaccine	Dose
MMR	1st
Varicella	1st
Hib	4th (Complete)
PCV	4th (Complete)
Hepatitis A	1st

15-23 Months

Vaccine	Dose
DTaP	4th (15-18 months)
Hepatitis A	2nd (6 months after the 1st)

4-6 Years

Vaccine	Dose
DTaP	5th (Complete)
IPV	4th (Complete)
MMR	2nd (Complete)
Varicella	2nd (Complete)

What to Expect After Vaccination

Normal Reactions

Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
Fever, which usually starts within 12 hours and lasts 1 to 2 days
Mild fussiness, crying, or restless sleep
Sleeping more than usual or eating less for a day or two

When to Call the Doctor

Any fever in a baby younger than 12 weeks (do not give fever medicine before your baby is seen)
Fever higher than 104°F (40°C)
Crying nonstop for more than 3 hours
Vomiting or severe crying after the rotavirus vaccine
Redness around the shot that is larger than 2 inches (5 cm), or pain and swelling that get worse after 3 days
Fever that lasts more than 3 days
Call 911 for trouble breathing or swallowing, or if your baby is very weak or can't wake up

Track Vaccinations with BebeSnap

Never miss a vaccination appointment! Use BebeSnap to:

Get reminders for upcoming vaccinations
Store and manage vaccination records
Track post-vaccination reactions
Share with family members

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FAQ

Q: What if we missed a vaccination?
A: You don't need to start over. Call your pediatrician's office; they can tell you which vaccines your baby can get to catch up and help set up the next visit. Try not to put it off, because any stretch without scheduled vaccines is time without protection against preventable diseases.

Q: Should we delay vaccination if my baby has a fever?
A: Talk with your pediatrician first. According to the AAP, children can often still be vaccinated during a mild illness such as a cold, earache, low fever, or diarrhea, and getting the shots that same day saves an extra appointment.

Q: Is it safe to get multiple vaccines at once?
A: Yes, simultaneous vaccination following the recommended schedule is safe and effective. Giving several vaccines in one visit does not overload your baby's immune system, and it reduces the number of clinic trips needed.

Q: Is the schedule different for premature babies?
A: No. Premature and low birth weight babies get every routine vaccine at the same ages as full-term babies, counted from their actual birth date. The AAP notes one exception for hepatitis B: if a baby weighs less than 2,000 g at birth, the first dose is given at 1 month of age or at hospital discharge, whichever comes first (unless the mother tests positive for hepatitis B).

References