Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content
< Back to For Parents Home

4 Months

Protect your baby by providing immunity early in life. Stay on track with the recommended vaccine schedule. At 4 months of age, your baby receives the following vaccines to develop immunity from potentially harmful diseases:

Image of mother holding infant and father holding infant

Find out what vaccines your baby needs and when with the Recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth through 6 Years Old [2 pages].

Record your baby’s vaccines, growth, and developmental milestones using the Well Child Visit Tracker [2 pages]. Learn more about developmental milestones at Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Get tips to prepare yourself and baby for your baby’s well-child visit.


Sick Babies and Shots

It's awful when your baby gets sick, but you can still protect your baby from other potentially harmful disease with vaccination. Usually babies can get vaccinated even if they have a mild illness like a cold, ear infection, mild fever, or diarrhea. Your child’s doctor can tell you if it’s okay for your child to get vaccinated if they have any of these symptoms.

Learn more about vaccines when your child is sick [2 pages].

Learn more about the different Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and why it is important to protect children with vaccines.

Learn about how vaccines and the body work together to fight diseases; check out vaccines and your child’s immune system.

Top of Page

Comforting Your Baby

Making the choice to vaccinate your child is vital for their health and well-being. Even so, getting shots can still be stressful for you and your little one. Fortunately, there are simple ways you can support your child before, during, and after shots.

During a vaccination

When your baby is getting shots, comfort your child by making eye contact and smiling. Distract your baby by talking softly or singing. After the shot is given, you can immediately soothe your child by breastfeeding or swaddling.

Remember to talk with your doctor about your baby’s developmental milestones.

For tips on supporting your baby during immunization visits, check out comforting holds for your child during vaccinations and Tips for a Less Stressful Shot Visit.

After a vaccination

After your baby gets a vaccination:

  • Your baby may be extra fussy and develop a mild rash or fever
  • Place a cool, damp cloth on the vaccinated area to help reduce redness and/or soreness at the injection site.
  • Read the Vaccine Information Sheet(s) your doctor provided to learn about the possible side effects your child may experience.

Pay extra attention to your child for a few days after vaccination. If you see something that concerns you, call your child’s doctor.


Risks of Falling Behind or Delaying

Vaccines can help protect infants and children by providing immunity early in life, before they are exposed to life-threatening diseases, like measles, whooping cough (pertussis), or polio. Children do not receive any known benefits from following schedules that spread out or delay vaccines. Delaying vaccines puts children at risk of becoming ill with vaccine-preventable diseases. By following the recommended schedule and fully immunizing your child by 2 years of age, you can protect your child and others from potentially serious disease.

If your child has fallen behind on immunizations, talk to your child’s doctor to get them back on track.

Find out how the childhood immunization schedule is set to protect your baby.

Find out what vaccines your child needs and when with the Recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth through 6 Years Old [2 pages].

Learn about the risks and responsibilities if you choose not to vaccinate your child [2 pages].

Top of Page

Related Links

Top