What vaccines does a baby get at 2 months?

At the 2-month visit, the CDC schedule includes DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough), IPV (polio), Hib, PCV (pneumococcal), and rotavirus by mouth. It is the first round of several series the baby repeats at 4 and 6 months. The third dose of HepB comes a little later, between 6 and 18 months. Your pediatrician confirms the exact list at the visit.

Is a low-grade fever after shots normal?

Yes. A low-grade fever is a common reaction, usually starting within 24 hours of the shot and lasting 1 to 2 days. For a fever of 100–102°F the AAP suggests skipping fever medicine, since fever is part of the immune response. Call your pediatrician for any fever in a baby under 12 weeks, a fever above 104°F, or a fever lasting more than 3 days.

When should I worry about a reaction after a vaccine?

Call your pediatrician for any fever in a baby under 3 months, a fever above 104°F, crying that won't stop for 3 or more hours, or redness that is larger than about 2 inches or keeps spreading after 3 days. Call 911 for trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face or throat, limpness, a seizure, or widespread hives — signs of a severe allergic reaction, which usually appear within minutes to a few hours.

Can the vaccine schedule change?

Yes. The recommended ages and vaccines are updated over time, and your pediatrician may adjust timing for your baby's health or to catch up on missed doses. Always confirm the current schedule with your pediatrician or the CDC before each visit rather than relying on a fixed list.

Does the flu shot really happen every year?

Yes. The flu vaccine starts at 6 months and is given every year. The first time a child 6 months through 8 years receives a flu vaccine, the CDC recommends 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart that first season, then one dose per year after. Your pediatrician tracks which applies.

Vaccines · 0–6 yr

Baby Vaccine Schedule: Birth Through 6 Years

Creator: ParentFlow
Published: 2026-06-17

Which shots does my baby get, and at what age?

This is the CDC childhood immunization schedule laid out by age, from birth to about 6 years. It covers what each vaccine prevents, what's normal after a shot, and the reactions that need a call.

7 min read Vaccines Updated June 2026

Reviewed against current AAP and CDC guidance

Read this first

This schedule is educational, not medical advice. The recommended ages and vaccines change as guidance is updated, and your pediatrician may adjust the timing for your baby. Confirm the current schedule with your pediatrician or the CDC before each visit. Catch-up schedules exist if your baby starts late or misses a dose.

The schedule by age

Birth

HepB (hepatitis B), dose 1 — usually given in the hospital.

One shot before you go home is the typical start.

1–2 months

HepB, dose 2 (given between 1 and 2 months).

2 months

DTaP, dose 1 (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough)
IPV, dose 1 (polio)
Hib, dose 1 (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
PCV, dose 1 (pneumococcal disease)
RV, dose 1 (rotavirus — given by mouth, not a shot)

This is the biggest visit. Most of these are the start of a series your baby will repeat at 4 and 6 months.

4 months

DTaP, dose 2
IPV, dose 2
Hib, dose 2
PCV, dose 2
RV, dose 2

A repeat of the 2-month series to build protection.

6 months

DTaP, dose 3
Hib, dose 3 (depending on the brand used)
PCV, dose 3
RV, dose 3 (if the brand used needs a third dose)
HepB, dose 3 (given between 6 and 18 months)
IPV, dose 3 (given between 6 and 18 months)
Influenza (flu) — every year
COVID-19 — per current guidance

Flu and COVID-19 follow their own seasonal timing. Ask your pediatrician which apply this season.

12–15 months

MMR, dose 1 (measles, mumps, rubella)
Varicella, dose 1 (chickenpox)
Hib, final dose
PCV, dose 4
HepA, dose 1 (hepatitis A; given between 12 and 23 months, with a second dose about 6 months later)

This is when the live vaccines like MMR and chickenpox begin.

15–18 months

DTaP, dose 4

A booster to keep the DTaP series going.

4–6 years

DTaP, dose 5 (booster)
IPV, dose 4 (booster)
MMR, dose 2 (booster)
Varicella, dose 2 (booster)

The before-kindergarten boosters that top off earlier doses.

What each vaccine prevents

Vaccine	Protects against
HepB	Hepatitis B, a liver infection
RV (rotavirus)	Rotavirus, a cause of severe diarrhea and dehydration in babies
DTaP	Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)
Hib	Haemophilus influenzae type b, which can cause meningitis
PCV	Pneumococcal disease, including some pneumonia, blood, and brain infections
IPV	Polio
Influenza (flu)	Seasonal flu, given every year
COVID-19	COVID-19, per current guidance
MMR	Measles, mumps, and rubella
Varicella	Chickenpox
HepA	Hepatitis A, a liver infection

About the yearly flu shot

The flu vaccine starts at 6 months and is given every year. The first time a child 6 months through 8 years gets a flu vaccine, the CDC recommends 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart in that first season. After that, it is usually one dose per year. Your pediatrician tracks whether your child still needs the two-dose start.

What's normal after a shot

Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given — most often starting within 24 hours and lasting about 3 to 5 days. With the DTaP shot it can last up to 7 days.
A low-grade fever, usually beginning within 24 hours and lasting 1 to 2 days.
Fussiness, tiredness, or a smaller appetite for a day or two.
A sore leg or arm that your baby favors. These reactions are common and mean the body is building protection.
With MMR or chickenpox, a mild fever or rash can show up later, about 1 to 4 weeks after the shot.

Comfort tips

Apply a warm, damp cloth to a sore injection site for about 10 minutes, and move the leg or arm gently.
Offer fluids more often, since fever increases fluid loss. Keep nursing or bottle-feeding on demand.
Keep clothing light — one layer is enough. Add a blanket only if your baby is shivering.
For a low-grade fever of 100–102°F, the AAP suggests skipping fever medicine, since fever is part of the immune response.
For discomfort with a fever above 102°F, acetaminophen may be given. For a baby under 2 years, ask your pediatrician or pharmacist for the correct dose first.
Offer extra cuddles and quiet time.

Call your pediatrician now

Any fever in a baby younger than 12 weeks (about 3 months) — call before giving any fever medicine.
A fever above 104°F (40°C).
Crying that will not stop for 3 hours or more.
A fever lasting more than 3 days, or a fever that returns after going away for 24 hours.
Redness at the shot site larger than about 2 inches, or that keeps spreading after 3 days, or a site that looks increasingly swollen, hot, or painful.
Your baby seems very ill, unusually hard to wake, or you are simply worried about how they look or act.

Call 911 now

Trouble breathing or trouble swallowing.
Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or throat.
Limp, not moving, very weak, or cannot be woken up.
Hives spreading over the body with any of the above. A severe allergic reaction is rare and usually happens within minutes to a few hours of a shot — this is why clinics often ask you to wait briefly before leaving.
A seizure (whole-body stiffening or jerking).

Quick answers

What vaccines does a baby get at 2 months?: At the 2-month visit, the CDC schedule includes DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough), IPV (polio), Hib, PCV (pneumococcal), and rotavirus by mouth. It is the first round of several series the baby repeats at 4 and 6 months. The third dose of HepB comes a little later, between 6 and 18 months. Your pediatrician confirms the exact list at the visit.
Is a low-grade fever after shots normal?: Yes. A low-grade fever is a common reaction, usually starting within 24 hours of the shot and lasting 1 to 2 days. For a fever of 100–102°F the AAP suggests skipping fever medicine, since fever is part of the immune response. Call your pediatrician for any fever in a baby under 12 weeks, a fever above 104°F, or a fever lasting more than 3 days.
When should I worry about a reaction after a vaccine?: Call your pediatrician for any fever in a baby under 3 months, a fever above 104°F, crying that won't stop for 3 or more hours, or redness that is larger than about 2 inches or keeps spreading after 3 days. Call 911 for trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face or throat, limpness, a seizure, or widespread hives — signs of a severe allergic reaction, which usually appear within minutes to a few hours.
Can the vaccine schedule change?: Yes. The recommended ages and vaccines are updated over time, and your pediatrician may adjust timing for your baby's health or to catch up on missed doses. Always confirm the current schedule with your pediatrician or the CDC before each visit rather than relying on a fixed list.
Does the flu shot really happen every year?: Yes. The flu vaccine starts at 6 months and is given every year. The first time a child 6 months through 8 years receives a flu vaccine, the CDC recommends 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart that first season, then one dose per year after. Your pediatrician tracks which applies.

Reflects the current CDC and ACIP childhood and adolescent immunization schedule.

Sources & further reading

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This guide reflects current AAP and CDC guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.