The tables below give catch-up schedules and minimum intervals between doses for children who have delayed immunizations. There is no need to restart a vaccine series regardless of the time that has elapsed between doses. Use the table appropriate for the child's age.
| Vaccine | Minimum Age for Dose 1 | Minimum Interval Between Doses | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dose 1 to Dose 2 | Dose 2 to Dose 3 | Dose 3 to Dose 4 | Dose 4 to Dose 5 | ||
| Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis | 6 wks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | 6 months | 6 months1 |
| Inactivated Poliovirus | 6 wks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks2 | |
| Hepatitis B3 | Birth | 4 weeks | 8 weeks (and 16 weeks after first dose) |
||
| Measles, Mumps, Rubella | 12 mo | 4 weeks4 | |||
| Varicella | 12 mo | ||||
| Haemophilus influenzae type b5 | 6 wks | 4 weeks 8 weeks (as final dose) No further doses needed |
4 weeks6 8 weeks (as final dose)6 No further doses needed |
8 weeks (as final dose) This dose only necessary for children aged 12 months - 5 years who received 3 doses before age 12 months |
|
| Pneumococcal 7 | 6 wks | 4 weeks 8 weeks (as final dose) No further doses needed |
4 weeks 8 weeks (as final dose) No further doses needed |
8 weeks (as final dose) This dose only necessary for children aged 12 months - 5 years who received 3 doses before age 12 months |
|
| Vaccine | Minimum Interval Between Doses | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dose 1 to Dose 2 | Dose 2 to Dose 3 | Dose 3 to Booster Dose | |
| Tetanus, Diphtheria8 | 4 weeks | 6 months | 6 months if first dose given at age <12 months and current age <11 years; otherwise 5 years |
| Inactivated Poliovirus9 | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | IPV2,9 |
| Hepatitis B | 4 weeks | 8 weeks (and 16 weeks after first dose) |
|
| Measles, Mumps, Rubella | 4 weeks | ||
| Varicella10 | 4 weeks | ||
1. DTaP. The fifth dose is not necessary if the fourth dose was administered after the fourth birthday.
2. IPV. For children who received an all-IPV or all-oral poliovirus (OPV) series, a fourth dose is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age>4 years. If both OPV and IPV were administered as part of a series, a total of 4 doses should be given, regardless of the child's current age.
3. HepB. Adminster the 3-dose series to all children and adolescents <19 years of age if they were not previously vaccinated.
4. MMR. The second dose of MMR is recommended routinely at age 4-6 years but may be administered earlier if desired.
5. Hib. Vaccine is not generally recommended for children aged >5 years.
6. Hib. If current age <12 months and the first 2 doses were PRP-OMP (PedvaxHIB® or ComVax® [Merck]), the third (and final) dose should be administered at age 12-15 months and at least 8 weeks after the second dose.
7. PCV. Vaccine is not generally recommended for children aged >5 years.
8. Td. Adolescent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine (Tdap) may be substituted for any dose in a primary catch-up series or as a booster if age appropriate for Tdap. A five-year interval from the last Td dose is encouraged when Tdap is used as a booster dose. See ACIP recommendations for further information.
9. IPV. Vaccine is not generally recommended for persons aged >18 years.
10. Varicella. Administer the 2-dose series to all susceptible adolescents aged >13 years.
Report adverse reactions to vaccines through the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. For information on reporting reactions following immunization, please visit www.vaers.hhs.gov or call the 24-hour national toll-free information line 800-822-7967. Report suspected cases of vaccine-preventable diseases to your state or local health department.
For additional information about vaccines, including precautions and contraindications for immunization and vaccine shortages, please visit the National Immunization Program Website at www.cdc.gov/nip or contact 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) (In English, En Español - 24/7)