For a child to stay healthy, they should get childhood vaccines. Many vaccines are given in a series of doses over a period of time. Your child needs each dose at the right time. The exact number of vaccines your child needs may vary. Your doctor may also have combination vaccines. This type of vaccine prevents more than one illness.

Vaccines may cause mild side effects. Talk with your child's doctor about the risks and benefits of vaccines. And talk with the doctor if your child has missed any vaccines. Your child will need catch-up vaccines to have full protection.

Below is a list of childhood illnesses and the routine vaccines used to prevent them.

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus. It can damage the liver. Some people with hepatitis B may later have liver cancer or liver failure. The hep B vaccine is usually given in 3 doses. The first dose may be given after birth or at 2 months, the next dose is given 1 to 2 months later, and the third dose is at age 6 to 18 months.

Rotavirus disease is caused by the rotavirus. The illness causes severe vomiting and diarrhea in young children. It can lead to severe dehydration. Children often need to be treated in the hospital. The rotavirus vaccine is available in a 2- or 3-dose series. The 2-dose series is given at ages 2 and 4 months. The 3-dose series is given at ages 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months.

Diphtheria. This is an infection caused by bacteria. It can cause trouble swallowing or breathing. It can also cause swollen neck glands. In severe cases, the bacteria can spread through the bloodstream. It can damage the heart and other organs. It may lead to death.

Tetanus. This is an infection caused by bacteria. It can lead to muscle spasms that keep you from opening your mouth, swallowing, or breathing. Even with treatment, the condition most often leads to death.

Pertussis. This is also known as whooping cough. It's an infection caused by bacteria. It causes coughing and choking spells. It can also lead to pneumonia or brain damage in infants.

The DTaP vaccine is given in 5 doses. It's given at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. Your child also needs a booster dose (called the Tdap) at ages 11 to 12 years. If they are older than that, the Tdap should replace the next tetanus and diphtheria (Td) booster. Your child should then get the Tdap or Td booster every 10 years throughout life.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a kind of bacteria. It can cause inflammation of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord. This is known as meningitis. Hib can also cause pneumonia and other serious infections. A 4-dose Hib vaccine is given at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 to 15 months. A 3-dose Hib vaccine is given at age 2 months and 4 months, and then at 12 to 15 months. Talk with your child's doctor about which type of vaccine your child needs.

Polio is caused by a virus. It can cause permanent paralysis of the muscles. This includes the muscles that control breathing. Polio can also lead to death. The polio vaccine is given as a shot (injection) in the muscle in 4 doses. It's given at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years.

Anyone who travels to a country where polio is still active should have a current vaccine against polio. A young child should complete their polio vaccine series before travel. But a faster series may be advised if a child is traveling sooner. Talk with your doctor before travel. Make sure your family's vaccines are up-to-date.

Measles. This is a virus. It causes fever and a rash. It can also cause hearing loss, brain damage, or death.

Mumps. This is a virus. It causes fever, headache, and swollen, painful glands under the jaw. It can damage the testes and cause infertility. Mumps can also lead to hearing loss. It can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

Rubella. This is also known as German measles. It is a virus. It causes fever, swollen glands, and rash. If a person has rubella during pregnancy, the baby may be born with severe health problems.

The MMR vaccine is given in 2 doses. It's given at ages 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years. Talk with your doctor if your family plans to travel to an area where there is a measles outbreak. The doctor may speed up the vaccine schedule.

Varicella is caused by a virus. It causes itchy skin blisters. In rare cases, a child may develop pneumonia, severe skin infections, or inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). This can lead to death.

The vaccine is given in 2 doses. It's given at ages 12 to 15 months, and ages 4 to 6 years.

Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria. It can cause an inflammation of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Symptoms include high fever, headache, and stiff neck. If not treated, it can lead to other serious health problems. These can include brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability. In some cases, it can cause death.

There are three types of meningococcal vaccines. They protect against strains of meningococcus bacteria. The vaccines are:

• MenACWY vaccine. This may be advised for preteens. It's given at ages 11 or 12, with a booster shot at age 16. This protects against meningococcal bacteria types A, C, W, and Y.
• MenB vaccine. This protects against meningococcal bacteria type B. Teens and young adults ages 16 to 23 may also get this vaccine if they are at risk for type B meningococcal disease outbreak. This applies to young adults who live in close contact with other people. For example, it includes college freshmen living in dormitories and young adults in military barracks. Talk with your child's doctor to learn more about MenB.
• MenABCWY vaccine. This protects against meningococcal bacteria types A, B, C, W, and Y. Those who are getting MenACWY and MenB vaccines at the same visit may instead get a MenABCWY vaccine. Children 10 years and older who are getting MenACWY and MenB vaccines at the same visit may instead get a MenABCWY vaccine. Talk to your child's doctor.

If your child has a weak immune system from HIV or another health condition, they may need these vaccines at a younger age. Your child's doctor will advise you.

Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria. It can affect the brain and spinal cord, lungs, and ears. In severe cases, infection can be deadly. The pneumococcal vaccine is given to healthy children in 4 doses. It's given at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 to 15 months. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccine: pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Your child's doctor can tell you more about the specific vaccine your child needs.

Influenza is caused by a virus. It can lead to fever, headache, sore throat, cough, and muscle aches. It can also lead to pneumonia and death, especially in very young children.

Children should get the vaccine starting at 6 months of age. The flu vaccine is given every year during the fall. Children 6 months to 8 years having the vaccine for the first time need 2 doses.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness that infects the lungs. It's caused by a type of coronavirus. The virus is called SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone ages 6 months or older. Talk with your child's doctor to learn more.

Hepatitis A is caused by a virus. It can cause sudden liver inflammation. The hep A vaccine is given in 2 doses at least 6 months apart. It may start at age 1 year.

Genital HPV infection is caused by a virus. It is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Infection with certain types of the virus can cause genital warts. HPV can also cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and throat. For the vaccine to work, it should be given in late childhood. The vaccine is given in 2 doses:

• The first dose is advised at age 11 to 12. But it may be given as early as age 9 or as late as age 14.
• The second dose is given 6 to 12 months after the first.

Children who miss the age range for HPV and don't start the series until age 15 or later should get 3 doses. The second dose is given 1 to 2 months after the first. The third is given 6 months after the first.

RSV is a common respiratory virus. It often causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Infants are more likely to have severe RSV and need hospitalization.

To prevent severe RSV disease in infants, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend having one of the following. Most infants will not need both.

• Maternal RSV vaccination at 32 through 36 weeks of pregnancy
• Infant RSV monoclonal antibody for infants ages 8 months and younger and born during or entering their first RSV season

An RSV monoclonal antibody may also be advised for some infants and children ages 8 through 19 months. It's recommended for those who are at greater risk for severe RSV disease and for those who are starting their second RSV season. Talk to the doctor to see if the RSV shot is advised for your baby.