Vaccination follows a schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. See tables Recommended Immunization Schedule for Ages 0–6 Years Recommended Immunization Schedule for Ages 0–6 Years Vaccination follows a schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American... read more , Recommended Immunization Schedule for Ages 7–18 Years Recommended Immunization Schedule for Ages 7–18 Years Vaccination follows a schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American... read more , and Catch-up Immunization Schedule for Ages 4 Months–18 Years Catch-up Immunization Schedule for Ages 4 Months–18 Years Vaccination follows a schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American... read more .
Practitioners should also check the CDC's latest recommendations (also available as a free mobile app), consult the CDC's child–adolescent immunization schedules and catch-up immunization schedule, and consult the relevant Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) statements for detailed recommendations and updates. Vaccination status should be reassessed at every visit.
For adverse effects and details of administration of specific vaccines, see Overview of Immunization Overview of Immunization Immunity can be achieved Actively by using antigens (eg, vaccines, toxoids) Passively by using antibodies (eg, immune globulins, antitoxins) A toxoid is a bacterial toxin that has been modified... read more .
COVID-19 vaccination in children
In addition to the immunizations noted in the immunization schedules, children in the US in certain age groups are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination COVID-19 Vaccine COVID-19 vaccines provide protection against COVID-19. COVID-19 is the disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. There are multiple COVID-19 vaccines currently in use worldwide... read more . The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA) has received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for children 5 to 15 years of age and is approved for use in people 16 years of age and older. The Pfizer vaccine dose for ages 12 or older is 0.3 mL (30 mcg) IM, given in a 2-dose series 3 weeks apart. The Pfizer vaccine dose for ages 5 to 11 is 0.2 mL (10 mcg) IM, also given in a 2-dose series 3 weeks apart. EUA has also been granted for an additional dose, given at least 28 days after the second dose, for people 12 years of age and older who have certain immunocompromising conditions. COVID-19 vaccine may be given at the same time as routine immunizations.
Contraindications to COVID-19 vaccines are (1 COVID-19 vaccination in children reference Vaccination follows a schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American... read more )
Severe allergic reaction to a previous dose
Severe allergic reaction to a vaccine component
An immediate allergic reaction of any severity to a previous dose or known (diagnosed) allergy to a component of the vaccine
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used in mRNA vaccines and is the most commonly implicated allergen.
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA) is also being studied for use in children under 18 years of age but does not currently have approval or EUA.
COVID-19 vaccination in children reference
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines currently approved or authorized in the United States: Contraindications and precautions. Accessed 10/18/2021.
Malaria vaccination in children
On October 6, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended widespread use of the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine among children in sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions with moderate to high Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission. (See WHO recommends groundbreaking malaria vaccine for children at risk.)
More Information
The following are some English-language resources that may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.
World Health Organization (WHO): WHO recommends groundbreaking malaria vaccine for children at risk
