Screening tests and vaccines are an important part of managing your child’s health.
Below are guidelines for these, for children from birth to age 2. You and your child’s
healthcare provider may decide that a different schedule is best for your child. But
this plan can guide your discussion. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider to
make sure your child is up to date on what they need.
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Screening*
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Who needs it
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How often
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Apgar score. These are measurements done soon after birth. They include heart rate,
breathing, skin color, muscle tone, and reflex responses. This score is used to check
a newborn's general health at birth.
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All newborns
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1 and 5 minutes after birth
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High lead level
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All children in this age group
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Risk assessment of lead exposure at 6, 9, and 18 months. Risk assessment or blood
test at 12 and 24 months. Children considered to be at risk may need more testing
from age 18 months to 6 years.
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Newborn screenings. This is a series of tests for metabolic, endocrine, hemoglobin,
and other conditions. The tests may vary by state. Tests check for hearing loss, congenital
hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, severe heart
problems, and severe immunodeficiency.
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All newborns. Ask your child's healthcare provider about the tests in your state.
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Before leaving the hospital
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Tooth decay
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Children ages 6 months and older
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Dental exams every 6 months. Fluoride supplements from age 6 months to 16 years for
those with low fluoride levels in their water. Fluoride varnish should be applied
every 3 to 6 months.
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Vaccines**
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Who needs it
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How often
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Hepatitis B vaccine
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All infants
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At birth, between ages 1 to 2 months and a final dose between ages 6 to 18 months
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DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis)
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All infants
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At ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, between ages 15 to 18 months and a booster between
ages 4 to 6 years
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Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate
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All infants
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Two-dose series: at ages 2 and 4 months; booster dose between 12 to 15 months
Three-dose series: at ages 2, 4, and 6 months; booster dose between ages 12 to 15
months
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Inactivated poliovirus
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All infants
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At ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months (and a booster at 4 to 6 years)
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Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13)
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All infants
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At ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and at 12 to 15 months
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Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
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All infants
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First dose between ages 12 to 15 months (and the second dose between 4 to 6 years,
or before starting kindergarten)
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Chickenpox (varicella)
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Those infants who have not contracted chickenpox
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Between ages 12 to15 months and the second dose between 4 to 6 years
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Flu (seasonal); trivalent inactivated influenza
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All infants
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At age 6 months, and then yearly when the flu vaccine is available. The first year
your child gets this vaccine, 2 doses are required.
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Hepatitis A
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All infants
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Between ages 12 to 23 months, with a second dose at least 6 months after the first
dose
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Rotavirus
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All infants
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Two-dose series: at ages 2 months and 4 months
Three-dose series: at ages 2, 4, and 6
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