DTaP Vaccination Schedule for Children

Standard Vaccination Schedule

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children receive the DTaP vaccine in a five-dose series at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years 1
The routine DTaP vaccination schedule consists of a first dose at 2 months of age, a second dose at 4 months of age, a third dose at 6 months of age, a fourth dose at 15-18 months of age, and a fifth dose at 4-6 years of age 1, 2

The first DTaP dose can be administered as early as 6 weeks of age 1
The fourth dose may be given as early as 12 months of age if at least 6 months have elapsed since the third dose 3, 4, 5
A minimum interval of 4 weeks should occur between the first and second doses when an accelerated schedule is needed 3, 4, 5
The third dose should not be administered before 14 weeks of age 3, 4, 5
The fourth dose should be administered at least 6 months after the third dose and should not be given to children younger than 12 months 1, 2

A fifth DTaP dose is not necessary if the fourth dose was administered at age 4 years or older 1, 2
For children with contraindications to the pertussis component, DT should be used instead of DTaP to complete the age-appropriate series 1

Administering the fourth dose before 12 months of age or less than 6 months after the third dose results in an invalid dose that must be repeated 1
While preferably the same manufacturer's DTaP should be used throughout the series, vaccination should not be delayed if the previous brand is unavailable 3, 4, 5