Vaccine schedule from 1980 vs today

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1980 Childhood Vaccine Schedule

Diseases covered (5):

Diphtheria

Tetanus

Pertussis (DTP)

Polio

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR combined)

Typical doses by age 6:

DTP: 4

Polio (OPV): 3

MMR: 1

Total ~8 doses by age 6
Total ~9–10 doses by age 18 (some teens got a Td booster)

Additions After 1980 (by year)

1985–1989 – Hib (3–4 doses)

1991 – Hepatitis B (3 doses)

1995 – Varicella (1 dose, later 2)

1996–2000 – Hepatitis A (2 doses)

2001 – Pneumococcal conjugate (4 doses in infancy)

2005 – Tdap (1 adolescent dose)

2005 – Meningococcal ACWY (2 doses: one in adolescence, one booster)

2006 – Rotavirus (2–3 oral doses, depending on brand)

2006 – HPV (2–3 doses depending on age at start)

2010s – Influenza (annual, 1–2 doses per year)

2014 – Meningococcal B (2–3 doses for teens/young adults at risk)

2021–2023 – COVID-19 (initial 2-dose series + boosters as recommended)

2023 – RSV (maternal dose during pregnancy, protects newborns — doesn’t add injections for infants themselves)

Today’s (2025) Childhood Vaccine Schedule

Diseases covered: ~18
(Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hib, Hep B, Varicella, Hep A, Pneumococcal, Influenza, Rotavirus, HPV, Meningococcal ACWY, Meningococcal B, COVID-19, + RSV via maternal immunization).

Typical doses by age 6:

DTaP: 5

Polio (IPV): 4

MMR: 2

Varicella: 2

Hib: 3–4

Hep B: 3

Hep A: 2

Pneumococcal (PCV): 4

Rotavirus: 2–3

Influenza: 1–2 annually (so ~6+ by age 6)

COVID-19: 2+ depending on schedule

~30+ doses by age 6

Typical doses by age 18:

Includes HPV (2–3), meningococcal (2+), Tdap (1), annual influenza (10+ more), additional COVID boosters.

~70+ doses by age 18 (if counting every injection/oral dose, flu each year, and COVID updates).

Comparison:

1980 ? ~8 doses by age 6, ~10 total by age 18

2025 ? ~30+ doses by age 6, ~70+ total by age 18

Diseases covered ? 5 (1980) vs. ~18 (2025)

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