What vaccines should an 8-year-old have, including MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella), DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis), IPV (Inactivated Poliovirus), HepB (Hepatitis B), and varicella?

Recommended Vaccines for an 8-Year-Old Child

An 8-year-old child should have received DTaP (5th dose), IPV (4th dose), MMR (2nd dose), Varicella (2nd dose), and annual influenza vaccination by this age, with catch-up vaccination if any doses were missed. 1

Core Vaccines Required by Age 8

Primary Series (Should Already Be Completed)

• DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis)

  • 5 doses total: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years
  • The 5th dose should have been administered between ages 4-6 years 1

• IPV (Inactivated Poliovirus)

  • 4 doses total: at 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years
  • The 4th dose should have been administered between ages 4-6 years 1

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

  • 2 doses total: first dose at 12-15 months, second dose at 4-6 years
  • The second dose provides 96% effectiveness against measles (compared to 95% after one dose) 2

• Varicella (Chickenpox)

  • 2 doses total: first dose at 12-15 months, second dose at 4-6 years
  • Two-dose regimen provides 95% effectiveness against varicella of any severity 2

• Hepatitis B

  • 3-dose series typically completed in infancy
  • Should be verified and completed if missing 1

Annual Vaccines

• Influenza (Inactivated)
  • Recommended annually for all children 6 months and older
  • Should be administered before or during flu season 1

Catch-Up Vaccination

If the child has missed any of the above vaccines, they should receive catch-up doses following these principles:

1. Minimum Intervals Between Doses

   • For DTaP: minimum 4 weeks between doses 1-3,6 months between doses 3-4, and 6 months between doses 4-5 1
   • For IPV: minimum 4 weeks between doses 1-3, and 6 months between doses 3-4 1
   • For MMR: minimum 4 weeks between doses 1
   • For Varicella: minimum 3 months between doses for children under 13 years 1

2. Combination Vaccines

   • Licensed combination vaccines can be used whenever components are indicated and not contraindicated 1
   • Using combination vaccines can reduce the number of injections required 1

Special Considerations

Safety Profile

• MMR and varicella vaccines have well-established safety profiles with rare serious adverse events:
  • Febrile seizures may occur at a rate of approximately 1 per 1150-1700 doses 2
  • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) occurs at a rate of approximately 1 case per 40,000 administered MMR doses 2
  • No evidence supports an association between MMR vaccination and autism spectrum disorders 2

Simultaneous Administration

• All age-appropriate vaccines can be administered during the same visit at different injection sites 1
• Administering vaccines simultaneously results in comparable immune responses and does not increase adverse reactions 1

Contraindications

• Live vaccines (MMR, varicella) should not be given to severely immunocompromised children 1
• Children with a history of seizures may receive DTaP, but consideration should be given to administering acetaminophen at the time of vaccination and every 4 hours for 24 hours afterward 1

Documentation

• Record all administered vaccines, including lot numbers and administration sites 1
• Provide documentation to parents/guardians and ensure information is entered into immunization information systems

By ensuring an 8-year-old has received all recommended vaccines, you significantly reduce their risk of contracting serious preventable diseases, protecting both individual and community health through high vaccination coverage.