Development of new vaccines, revised recommendations on timing and dosage as well as the introduction of combination vaccines, has necessitated yearly revision of the vaccine guidelines for children. These are generated by the ACIP, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

These guidelines are the accepted standard for immunization of infants and children. Children with specialized health care needs may require additional immunizations as is the case with asthmatics needing influenza and pneumoccal vaccine and the HIV positive determining the benefit versus the risk of MMR. Table 2 (20 KB) indicates the acceptable minimum interval between doses, which is helpful when planning an immunization schedule for children whose immunizations are delayed. Table 3 (20 KB) is the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule for the United States for the period January - December 2000.