When are the visits and vaccines?

A frequent question asked at my prenatal visits is how often do babies come in for well visits and when do they get vaccines. I have listed a timeline for well child appointments and annual physicals. Learn more about developmental milestones to look for at each stage from the CDC website >>>here<<<<. The best way to make sure you stay on track is to schedule the next appointment before leaving the office. 

• Infancy: 2-5 days, 1 month, 2 month, 4 month, 6 month, 9 month
• Toddler: 12 month, 15 month, 18 month, 24 month, 30 month
• Children and Teens: Annually from 3 years old and up

Many of these well visits also coincide with vaccines. In the early years, usually there are no vaccines at 9 months, 24 months, and 30 months, unless the child is behind schedule or during flu season (see post about the >>>>flu vaccine<<<<). In the older ages, most visits do not have vaccines, except 4 year old, 9-11 year old, and 16-18 year old. I do NOT recommend delaying vaccines or using an alternative schedule. Research studies show that the vaccine schedule we use prepares the kids’ bodies best for an immune response without triggering too much inflammation. 

What are the vaccines?

Here is an updated list of the vaccines that babies get to protect them from deadly diseases >>>>here<<<<. The antibodies that babies get from the mom during pregnancy only last 6 months. That’s why the vaccines schedule gets the babies fully protected by 6 months by teaching their own immune system how to make antibodies. These vaccines fight against bacteria that can cause severe throat swelling and pneumonias, bone infections, trouble breathing, and death. 

Have more questions?

If you have more questions about the vaccines or the visit timeline, schedule an appointment or send a message to your child’s pediatrician. They would love the opportunity to answer any developmental concerns you have about your child, or to answer any questions you have about the vaccines.

There is a lot of information on the internet that either twists the truth and/or are just blatant made up fiction – like that time a dad told me he heard there was no sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) when the pandemic shutdown occurred because vaccines and well visits had been temporarily halted. He felt this meant that vaccines is what caused the SIDS. I thanked him for sharing this with me so I could review the source and research. Turns out the data pointed in the other direction: (1) there was MORE SIDS during the pandemic shutdown, and (2) vaccines are NOT at all associated with SIDS as shown from data across many studies.

I was so happy he felt comfortable sharing his concern with me, so that I could double check its accuracy. Likewise, your child’s pediatrician wants to hear from you! Don’t hesitate to call or send a message.