Complete Vaccination Series Recommended by Age 18

Core Vaccines Required by Age 18

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all children and adolescents complete specific vaccine series by age 18 to ensure protection against preventable diseases, with a series of 5 doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) with the final dose at age 4-6 years, followed by 1 dose of Tdap at age 11-12 years 1, 2
The ACIP recommends 4 doses of Polio (IPV) with the final dose at age 4-6 years 3, 4
The ACIP recommends 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine with the first dose at 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6 years 5, 6
The ACIP recommends a 3-dose series of Hepatitis B typically completed in infancy 3, 4
The ACIP recommends 2 doses of Varicella with the first dose at 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6 years 5, 6
The ACIP recommends a 2-dose series of Hepatitis A with the first dose at 12-23 months and the second dose 6 months later 1, 3
The ACIP recommends 2 doses of Meningococcal (MenACWY) with the first dose at age 11-12 years and the second dose at age 16 years 3, 6
The ACIP recommends annual vaccination against Influenza 3, 6

The ACIP recommends 2 or 3 doses of Meningococcal B (MenB) for persons aged ≥10 years with complement deficiency, those who use complement inhibitors, persons with asplenia, microbiologists, or during outbreaks 3, 6
The ACIP recommends a complete series of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in infancy, with catch-up vaccination not recommended for previously unvaccinated children aged ≥5 years without high-risk conditions 7, 3
The ACIP recommends a complete series of Pneumococcal vaccines in infancy, with additional doses may be needed for children with certain medical conditions 3, 8

The ACIP recommends that dose 5 of DTaP is not necessary if dose 4 was administered at age ≥4 years AND at least 6 months after dose 3 3, 4
The ACIP recommends that all children and adolescents aged 2-18 years who have not previously received Hepatitis A vaccine should complete a 2-dose series 3, 6

The ACIP emphasizes the importance of not missing the second MenACWY dose, as the booster dose at age 16 is critical for continued protection during the period of highest risk 3
The ACIP recommends that adolescent vaccines (Tdap, MenACWY, HPV) are essential components of the complete vaccination schedule 3, 6
The ACIP recommends that annual influenza vaccination should be administered every year, ideally before the start of flu season 3, 8

The ACIP recommends that immunocompromised individuals may require modified schedules or additional doses of certain vaccines 8
The ACIP recommends that children who fall behind on vaccinations should follow ACIP catch-up schedules to complete their series as quickly as possible 3, 6
The ACIP emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate records of all vaccines received to ensure complete vaccination 1, 3