Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger, United States, 2018
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In October 2017, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved the 2018 immunization schedule for children and adolescents birth through 18 years, effective February 2018.
The schedule has been approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
The comprehensive summary of the ACIP recommended changes to the schedule can be found in the February 6, 2018 MMWR.
Changes to this Year’s Schedule
General schedule
- A table has been added outlining vaccine type, abbreviation, and brand names for vaccines discussed in the child/adolescent immunization schedule.
- The schedule footnotes are presented in a new simplified format. The goal was to remove unnecessary text while preserving all pertinent information and maintaining clarity. This was accomplished by a transition from complete sentences to bullets, removal of unnecessary or redundant language, and formatting changes.
- Manufacturing of MenHibrix (Hib-MenCy) vaccine has been discontinued in the United States and all available doses have expired. Therefore, mention of the vaccine has been removed from the schedule.
Medical conditions
The medical indications figure (figure 3) changes include:
- The HIV column provides a reference providing additional information regarding HIV laboratory parameters and use of live vaccines.
- Within the pneumococcal row, stippling was added to heart disease/chronic lung disease, chronic liver disease, and diabetes columns to clarify that in some situations children with these conditions may be recommended to receive an additional dose of vaccine.
Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine
- The Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) footnote was revised to include information regarding vaccination of <2,000 gram infants born to HBsAg-negative mothers.
Influenza vaccine
- The influenza vaccine footnote has been updated to indicate that LAIV should not be used during the 2017–2018 influenza season. A reference link to the 2017-2018 season influenza recommendations has been added.
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
- The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) footnote was updated to include guidance regarding the use of a 3rd dose of mumps-containing vaccine during a mumps outbreak.
Meningococcal vaccine
- The meningococcal vaccine footnote has been edited to create separate footnotes for MenACWY and MenB vaccines.
Polio vaccine
- The inactivated poliovirus rows of the catch-up schedule have been edited to clarify the catch-up recommendations for children 4 years of age and older.
- The poliovirus vaccine footnote was revised to include updated guidance for persons who received oral polio vaccine as part of their vaccination series.
Rotavirus vaccine
- The maximum ages for the first and last doses of the rotavirus series have been added to the rotavirus vaccine row of the catch-up schedule.
2018 Immunization Schedule
View or Print Schedules
Child and Adolescent Schedule, Comprehensive Version
(introduction, age, medical indications, catch-up schedules, and footnotes)
Vaccine Catch-Up Guidance
CDC has developed catch-up guidance job aids to assist health care professionals in interpreting figure 2 in the childhood/adolescent immunization schedule.
- Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) Catch-Up Guidance for Children 4 Months through 4 Years of Age [3 pages]
- Haemophilus Influenzae type b-Containing Vaccines Catch-Up Guidance for Children 4 Months through 4 Years of Age
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis-Containing Vaccines Catch-Up Guidance for Children 4 Months through 6 Years of Age [2 pages]
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis-Containing Vaccines Catch-Up Guidance for Children 7 through 18 Years of Age [2 pages]
Portable Format
Pocket-Size Schedule
The comprehensive childhood/adolescent immunization schedule is available in a smaller, laminated, portable format.
- print color [2 pages]
- Order free copies from CDC (See note for instructions)
Display Immunization Schedules on Your Website
This method ensures schedules on your site will always be current; whenever CDC updates a schedule, your page will automatically display the same update. Visitors can print the schedule from your web page. For steps to easily place the 2018 recommended immunization schedules and footnotes on your website, see display immunization schedules on your website.
See examples of how the schedules will appear on your website.
Binational Immunization Resource Tool (United States/Mexico)
CDC Vaccine Schedules App
Get the CDC Vaccine Schedules app for health care professionals for immediate access to the most up-to-date immunization schedules. View the comprehensive childhood/adolescent and adult schedules, including medical conditions and catch-up immunization schedules and footnotes, on your smartphone and tablet devices. Free downloads are available from the iTunes App Store and Google Play.
Note: If you previously downloaded the tool, check that you have version 5.0.2 with 2018 schedules and footnotes.
Resources for Patients: Easy-to-Read Schedules, Personalized Vaccination Creators, and Quiz
Easy-to-Read Immunization Schedules
Schedule Tools
Schedule Creator
Birth through 6 Years
Create a customized schedule of vaccines needed (birth to 6 years)
Use this tool to create a personalized schedule you can give to and discuss with parents. Parents also can use this print-out to record their child’s vaccinations. Enter the patient’s date of birth, click “get schedule,” and then click “printable schedule.”
Catch-Up or Accelerated Schedule Creator
Birth through 18 Years
Use this tool to generate a catch-up or accelerated schedule (birth through 18 years). This catch-up scheduler will identify doses and timing of vaccines needed to catch up on missed doses or during a disease outbreak.
Child and Adolescent Vaccine Quiz
Birth through 18 Years
Take this Childhood Vaccine Quiz to create a personalized list of recommended vaccines for a child (birth through 18 years) based on his or her health history. Once printed, discuss with parents.
Related Pages
- Childhood and Adolescent Schedule Presentation Graphics [8.50 MB, 8 slides]
- Past immunization schedules
- Provider resources for vaccine conversations with parents
- Vaccination records for children
- Vaccine administration record for children and teens [6 pages]
- Screening checklist for child and teen immunization [2 pages]
Also available in multiple languages, including Spanish - Interpreting abbreviations on records
- Standards for Child and Adolescent Immunization Practices
- Current vaccines in delay or shortage
- Notice of vaccination letter [1 page]
- ACIP immunization recommendations
Note: To order the child and adolescent immunization schedule, go to CDC-INFO on Demand – Publications and pull down the menu for “Programs.” Select “Immunization and Vaccines (Schedules and Booklets)” and click “Search.”
- Page last reviewed: February 6, 2018
- Page last updated: May 14, 2018
- Content source: