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Immunizations are shots that give your baby strong protection against disease. They can help keep your baby healthy and safe.
Babies get their first shots on a set schedule. It’s called an infant vaccine schedule. This helps make sure they get the best protection. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this schedule for kids 18 and younger.
It’s generally not a good idea to delay or space out vaccinations. If you do that, your baby is less protected.
Your baby’s first vaccines and early immunization schedule
Right after birth, your baby will get their first hepatitis B shot. This newborn vaccine protects your baby’s liver against hepatitis B, a serious disease.
Two months after birth, your baby will get more shots. These include several important vaccines as part of the recommended infant vaccine schedule:
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Hepatitis B
- Pneumococcal infection
- Polio
- Rotavirus
Common side effects
Some vaccines might cause side effects. Your baby may have:
- A low-grade fever
- A mild rash that goes away on its own
- Less interest in eating
- More fussiness or sleepiness than usual
- Pain or soreness where they got the shot
Serious side effects are rare. Research shows that vaccines don’t cause conditions like autism.
If your baby has a high fever or has trouble breathing after getting a shot, let their clinician know right away.
To make your baby more comfortable after a shot, their clinician may suggest giving them acetaminophen. This is the main ingredient in Tylenol.1 It’s safe and effective for babies and young children. The clinician will recommend how much to give your baby.
Don’t give your baby aspirin or any other pain reliever unless their clinician tells you to do so.