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Childhood and teen vaccines (annual flu and COVID, HPV timing)

Vaccines train the body to fight specific diseases. Beyond the baby shots, children and teens are offered yearly flu and COVID shots and the HPV vaccine, which protects against a virus linked to several cancers. The decision is which ones, and on what timetable.

Which childhood and teen vaccines should our child get, and when?

In short: Parents choose between 4 main approaches: Full AAP or provincial schedule; Federal (CDC) schedule as restored, others case by case; Delayed or spaced; Selective refusal. Evidence: guidance changing. Official guidance changed recently and is still moving — check current sources. Best settled: 6–12 months.

Evidence
Guidance changing
Best settled
6–12 months
Part of
Raising the child

Childhood and teen vaccines: what are the options?

Parents usually land on one of these 4 approaches.

  1. 1. Full AAP or provincial schedule

    Your child gets every vaccine recommended by the pediatric academy or your province, on time.

  2. 2. Federal (CDC) schedule as restored, others case by case

    Your child follows the federal schedule, and you decide on others one by one.

  3. 3. Delayed or spaced

    Your child gets the vaccines later or more spread out than recommended.

  4. 4. Selective refusal

    Your child gets some vaccines and you decline others.

Childhood and teen vaccines: what does the evidence say?

Guidance changing. Official guidance changed recently and is still moving — check current sources. (In flux)

Same split and same court status as the infant schedule; the AAP recommends COVID-19 vaccination at 6-23 months while the federal schedule lists it for shared decision-making

Sources

What else is worth knowing?

After the first year, children are offered booster doses, yearly flu and COVID shots, and at around 9 to 12 the HPV vaccine. US official bodies currently publish somewhat different schedules, so your child's doctor is the practical guide. Ask which schedule they follow.

Questions to ask each other

  • Which schedule is our pediatrician using, and do we agree with it?
  • Which vaccines, if any, do we want to talk through more?
  • How will we decide when guidance changes?

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First published 2026-10-03. Last updated 2026-10-05. General information, not medical advice.