cdc vaccine schedule

TL;DR:

updates schedules each year for children and adults.
Babies and kids need HepB, RV, DTaP, Hib, PCV, IPV, MMR, Varicella, HepA, and more on a timeline.
Adults need flu each year, COVID-19 up to date, Tdap, HPV, shingles, pneumococcal, and others by risk.
Pregnancy: Tdap every pregnancy, seasonal RSV vaccine, flu during flu season.
Travel may add typhoid, yellow fever, JE, rabies, and others by destination.

You asked, “What are the recommended vaccines?” This guide summarises the current U.S. schedules in plain language. It is useful worldwide as a reference, but follow your country’s health ministry rules for what is required locally. updates its schedules each year, most recently on October 7, 2025.

The short answer

The publishes two core schedules every year:

Child and adolescent schedule for birth through 18 years.
Adult schedule for age 19 and older, with sections for medical risks, pregnancy, and special situations.

Below is a concise, age-based tour. Use this as a map, then confirm exact timing with your clinician and the official tables linked at the end.

Birth through 6 years

Common routine vaccines and timing:

Hepatitis B (HepB): first dose at birth, then at 1–2 months and 6–18 months.
Rotavirus (RV): oral drops starting at 6 weeks, with last dose by 8 months of age.
Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP): at 2, 4, 6, and 15–18 months, then 4–6 years.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): series in infancy with a booster at 12–15 months.
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV): at 2, 4, 6, and 12–15 months.
Inactivated Polio (IPV): at 2, 4, 6–18 months, and 4–6 years.
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): first dose at 12–15 months, second at 4–6 years.
Varicella (chickenpox): first at 12–15 months, second at 4–6 years.
Hepatitis A (HepA): two doses between 12–23 months.
Influenza: one dose each year for everyone 6 months and older, product based on age and health.

Seasonal infant RSV protection: either maternal RSV vaccine in pregnancy or infant nirsevimab. Your clinician will choose one approach.

7 through 18 years

Tdap: one dose at 11–12 years, then Td or Tdap booster every 10 years in adulthood.
HPV: start at 11–12 years. Two doses if start before age 15. Three doses if start at 15 or older or if immunocompromised.
Meningococcal ACWY: one dose at 11–12 years, booster at 16. MenB can be added at 16–23 years using shared clinical decision making or earlier if high risk.
Annual influenza and COVID-19 up to date.

Adults 19 through 49

Influenza: one dose each year, product based on age and risk.
COVID-19: stay up to date with the 2025–2026 vaccine as directed.
Tdap/Td: if never had Tdap, get one dose now, then Td or Tdap every 10 years.
HPV: catch up through age 26 if not fully vaccinated. Ages 27–45 may consider vaccination after a discussion of benefits.
Hepatitis B: recommended for all adults through age 59. At age 60+, vaccinate based on risk and preference. Product and dose count vary.
Hepatitis A: recommended for anyone who wants it or has risk factors.
MMR and Varicella: if you lack evidence of immunity, get vaccinated. Do not use live vaccines in pregnancy.
Pneumococcal: some adults with conditions like chronic heart, lung, or liver disease, diabetes, smoking, or immunocompromise need PCV15, PCV20, or PCV21 now, sometimes with PPSV23. Your clinician will choose a path.
Mpox (JYNNEOS): for adults at risk of exposure. Ask your clinic about eligibility.

Adults 50 through 64

Shingles (RZV, Shingrix): two doses starting at age 50, even if you had shingles before.
Continue influenza, COVID-19, Td/Tdap, and any risk-based vaccines. Pneumococcal may be indicated for some in this age range.

Adults 65 and older

Influenza: high-dose, adjuvanted, or recombinant products are preferred when available.
Pneumococcal: if never received a conjugate vaccine, get a single dose of PCV20 or PCV21, or PCV15 followed by PPSV23. Prior vaccine histories change the plan.
Shingles: complete the two-dose RZV series if not done.
RSV: one dose for adults 75 and older. Adults 60–74 may be considered based on risk and shared decision making.

Pregnancy

Tdap: give Tdap during each pregnancy. Best timing is 27–36 weeks to protect the newborn from whooping cough.
RSV (Abrysvo): one dose at 32–36 weeks when given seasonally, usually September to January in most of the continental U.S. Do not give Arexvy or mResvia during pregnancy. Do not repeat in later pregnancies. If not vaccinated in pregnancy, the baby should receive nirsevimab.
Influenza: vaccinate during flu season with inactivated or recombinant vaccines. Avoid live nasal spray.
HepB and HepA: give if not already vaccinated or if at risk.
Live vaccines, such as MMR and Varicella, are contraindicated in pregnancy. Plan them after delivery if needed.

Travel vaccines

Travel can add vaccines such as yellow fever, typhoid, cholera, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and polio boosters, depending on destination and activities. Check destination pages and book a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before departure.

Quick table: what most people need and when

Life stage	Core routine vaccines
Birth–6 years	HepB, RV, DTaP, Hib, PCV, IPV, MMR, Varicella, HepA, annual flu
7–18 years	Tdap at 11–12, HPV series, MenACWY at 11–12 with booster at 16, consider MenB, annual flu, COVID-19 up to date
Adults 19–49	Annual flu, COVID-19 up to date, Tdap then Td/Tdap every 10 years, catch-up MMR/Varicella if needed, HepB for all through 59, HepA if risk or preference, pneumococcal for certain risks
Adults 50–64	Above, plus Shingles (2 doses at 50+), pneumococcal as indicated
Adults 65+	Above, plus pneumococcal updated plan, preferred flu products, consider RSV per age and risk
Pregnancy	Tdap each pregnancy, seasonal maternal RSV, flu in season, risk-based HepA/HepB, avoid live vaccines

Sources for details and timing are in the official schedules and pregnancy guidance.

Common questions

Do I still need a flu shot every year?
Yes. Everyone 6 months and older should get flu vaccine each year. For adults 65 and older, high-dose, adjuvanted, or recombinant products are preferred.

Which pneumococcal shot should I get?
Your clinician will choose PCV20 or PCV21 as a single dose for most adults who are vaccine-naive, or PCV15 followed by PPSV23 when indicated. Prior doses change the plan.

Is HPV only for teens?
No. Catch up through age 26. Adults 27–45 may opt in after a discussion about benefit. Dose counts depend on the age you start and immune status.

What about mpox vaccine?
It is recommended for people at risk of exposure. Ask your clinic about eligibility.

Do schedules apply outside the U.S.?
is a U.S. authority. Many countries follow similar guidance, but you should check your local health ministry. For travel, always use destination pages for country-specific advice.

Why it matters

Vaccines prevent severe illness and death. Following the schedule gives you protection at the age when risks are highest, from birth through older adulthood. It also protects people around you who are at higher risk.