Infants and young children
Recommended vaccine schedule for infants and young children
The vaccination schedule is designed to protect children early in life before they are exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases and when they are most at risk for serious disease complications.
Vaccine | 2 months | 4 months | 6 months | 12 months | 18 months |
Starting at 4 years (kindergarten entry) |
DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b) |
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Pneumococcal Conjugate1 |
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Rotavirus |
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Meningococcal C Conjugate |
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MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) |
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Varicella2 (chickenpox) |
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DTap-IPV-Hib (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b) |
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Tdap-IPV (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio) |
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MMRV2 (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) |
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Influenza3 (Inactivated and Live-Attenuated) |
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Hepatitis A4 (for Indigenous children only) |
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1 - Children with specific medical conditions that place them at high risk of disease should receive an additional dose at 6 months of age. See the HealthLinkBC File for more information on vaccine eligibility or speak to your health care provider.
2 - Children who had chickenpox or shingles disease, confirmed by a lab test, at 1 year of age or older do not need the chickenpox vaccine and should get the MMR vaccine at 4 years of age.
3 - A second dose is needed 4 weeks after the first dose if receiving vaccine for the first time.
4 - Hepatitis A vaccine is offered to Indigenous children living both on-reserve and off-reserve.
COVID-19 vaccines for children
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older to help protect against severe COVID-19. Find information on COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccines for children with chronic health conditions
Children with chronic health conditions may need additional vaccines or additional doses of a vaccine. If your child has a chronic condition, talk to your doctor or public health nurse about their vaccination schedule.
Extra protection: vaccines for purchase
In addition to routine vaccines, your child may benefit from getting other vaccines that you can purchase. These vaccines can give your child extra protection against certain diseases. Talk to your health care provider to find out if your child has all the protection they need.
If you’re travelling, your child may need travel vaccines to protect them against diseases that are rare in Canada, but common in other parts of the world. Find information on travel vaccines.
Related pages
- How to reduce pain, stress, and anxiety with vaccinations.
- Why it's important to follow the recommended schedule.
- Where to get vaccinated.
- Why it's important to keep a record of your child's vaccinations.
- Travel vaccines.
- Vaccine safety.
- If you choose not to vaccinate your child: What you need to know.