Makindo Medical Notes

🇺🇸 Childhood Vaccination Schedule in the US

The CDC childhood vaccination schedule is carefully designed to protect children 🧒👶 from potentially life-threatening infectious diseases 🦠. Following the timeline ensures early immunity, school readiness, and herd protection.

📅 Vaccination Schedule

• At Birth :
  • 🦠 Hepatitis B (HepB): First dose. Prevents perinatal transmission, especially from HepB-positive mothers.
• 1–2 Months :
  • 💉 Hepatitis B (HepB): Second dose.
• 2 Months :
  • 💉 DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
  • 🧫 Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
  • 🦵 Polio (IPV)
  • 🫁 Pneumococcal (PCV13)
  • 💩 Rotavirus (RV) (oral, live vaccine)
• 4 Months :
  • Repeat same set: DTaP, Hib, Polio (IPV), PCV13, Rotavirus.
• 6 Months :
  • 💉 DTaP
  • 🧫 Hib
  • 🦵 Polio (IPV)
  • 🫁 Pneumococcal (PCV13)
  • 💩 Rotavirus (RV)
  • 🦠 Hepatitis B (HepB): Third dose (between 6–18 months).
  • 🤧 Influenza: Annual vaccination starts here.
• 12–15 Months :
  • 🧫 Hib
  • 🤒 MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – 1st dose.
  • 🫁 Pneumococcal (PCV13)
  • 🐔 Varicella (Chickenpox)
  • 🧠 Hepatitis A (HepA): 2 doses between 12–23 months.
• 15–18 Months :
  • 💉 DTaP booster.
• 4–6 Years :
  • 💉 DTaP
  • 🦵 Polio (IPV)
  • 🤒 MMR (2nd dose)
  • 🐔 Varicella (2nd dose)
• 11–12 Years :
  • 💉 Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis booster)
  • 🧬 HPV (Human Papillomavirus, 2 doses 6–12 months apart; prevents cervical, anal & throat cancers).
  • 🧠 MenACWY (Meningococcal conjugate vaccine).
• 16 Years :
  • 🧠 MenACWY booster (critical for meningitis outbreaks in teens, esp. college students).
  • Optional 💉 MenB vaccine in late teens (varies by risk/college requirements).

⚠️ Special Cases

• High-Risk Groups :
  • Children with chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, congenital heart disease, immunodeficiency) may need earlier or extra vaccines.
  • 💡 Example: Extra pneumococcal doses or annual flu injections (not live nasal).
• Travel Vaccinations :
  • 🌍 Additional vaccines may be required depending on the country: Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, Hepatitis A.

📌 Clinical Pearls

✅ HepB at birth prevents vertical transmission.
✅ Rotavirus is oral ➝ do not give after 8 months of age due to intussusception risk.
✅ HPV vaccine protects both boys and girls (genital & oropharyngeal cancers).
✅ MenACWY booster is critical at 16, as meningitis risk peaks in adolescents.
✅ Annual flu vaccine is recommended for all children ≥6 months.

💉 UK vs US Childhood Vaccination Schedules (with Policy Reasons)

📌 Key Revision Notes

• 🇬🇧 ➝ MenB early, no universal Varicella, selective BCG.
• 🇺🇸 ➝ Universal HepB, Varicella, HepA, earlier Flu vaccine.
• Both ➝ HPV, MenACWY, MMR, DTaP/Polio boosters, but timings differ slightly.

📝 Summary

The US childhood vaccination schedule is evidence-based and saves lives every year. It protects against diseases like measles, meningitis, hepatitis, and polio, many of which once caused high childhood mortality. 💡 Timely vaccination maximises protection, reduces school outbreaks, and ensures lifelong immunity.