This article provides an overview of the 6-month vaccines.
It also explains how to comfort your baby after getting shots and how to treat mild side effects.
The following may be recommended at their 6-month check-up:
Most vaccinations are given as a shot.
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
However, the rotavirus (RV) vaccine is given by mouth through liquid drops.
Which Vaccines Are Mandatory?
Vaccine requirements vary by state.
Delaying any of the 6-month immunizations may mean your child will need to catch up before starting school.
The fifth dose is usually given around 4 to 6 years old.
Immunity may start to wear off around 11 to 12 years old.
A booster called the Tdap is generally given at that time or later in life as needed.
This vaccine helps prevent:
Pertussis or Whooping Cough?
The last is given around 12 to 18 months.
Because of its name, Hib is often confused with seasonal influenza (flu).
However, these are two different diseases.
Hib is a bacteria, while the flu is a virus.
Children in the U.S. get a shot called an inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).
Other countries may still use an oral polio vaccine (OPV).IPV is given over four doses.
At 6 months, your baby is most likely receiving the third dose in the series.
Worldwide Polio Cases
Efforts to eliminate polio worldwide increased in 1988.
Since then, the yearly number of cases (about 350,000) has declined by more than 99.9%.
It is estimated that 18 million currently healthy people would have been paralyzed by polio without this response.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)
Streptococcus pneumoniaeor pneumococcus are bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease.
The RV vaccination is given as drops by mouth rather than as a shot.
Two brands of therotavirus vaccineare given in the United States.
RotaTeq (RV 5) is given in three doses at 2, 4, and 6 months old.
The other brand, Rotarix (RV1), does not include the third dose.
Babies are vaccinated against hepatitis B in three doses.
The firstHBV doseis usually given within 12 hours of an infants life.
This is done in case their mother unknowingly passed Hepatitis B to them at birth.
The final dose of HBV is given between 6 and 18 months.
At 6 months old, your baby is due for their first vaccination.
Because this is their firstflu shot, they usually receive two doses at least four weeks apart.
Both are updated vaccines that protect against newer variants of the virus.
TheModernaprimary series is given in two doses one month apart.
an updated booster is recommended at least two months after the second dose.
Talk to your healthcare provider before your appointment if you are concerned about rare side effects or allergic reactions.
Side effects or reactions are generally mild and can be treated at home.
A Word From Verywell
Parents are often concerned about comforting their babies during vaccinations.
Smiling and using a soothing voice are one of the best ways to reassure your 6-month-old during their appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
For babies this age, distraction is a good technique.
you’ve got the option to try singing or using toys to get their attention.
Its also helpful to smile and talk in a soothing, calm voice.
This helps reassure your infant that everything is ok.
The most common vaccination side effect is soreness at the shot site.
Severe side effects or reactions are rare.
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