Recommended Vaccinations for a 3-Year-Old Child
A 3-year-old child should receive annual influenza vaccine and may need catch-up doses of any previously missed routine vaccines, but typically no new vaccine series are initiated at this specific age. 1
Core Vaccination Status at Age 3
By age 3, children should have already completed or be current with the following vaccine series:
DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis): Four doses should be completed by this age, with the fourth dose given between 15-18 months (can be given as early as 12 months if at least 6 months have elapsed since the third dose) 1
IPV (Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine): Three doses should be completed (at 2,4, and 6-18 months), with the fourth dose due at 4-6 years 1
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): First dose should have been given at 12-15 months; the second dose is typically given at 4-6 years but can be administered earlier if at least 4 weeks have elapsed since the first dose 1
Varicella (Chickenpox): First dose should have been given at 12-15 months; second dose typically at 4-6 years but can be given earlier with at least 3 months between doses 1
Hepatitis B: Three-dose series should be completed, with doses at birth, 1-2 months, and 6-18 months 1
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b): Series should be completed by 15-18 months 1
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV): Heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine series should be completed for children aged 2-59 months 1
Annual Vaccination Required at Age 3
- Influenza Vaccine: This is the primary vaccine that should be administered annually starting at 6 months of age. Children aged 3 years should receive 0.5 mL dose. If this is the first time receiving influenza vaccine, two doses separated by at least 4 weeks are required 1
Catch-Up Vaccinations
If any of the above vaccines were missed or delayed, catch-up vaccination should be initiated immediately. There is no need to restart a vaccine series regardless of the time that has elapsed between doses 1. The catch-up schedule should follow minimum intervals between doses as specified by ACIP guidelines 1.
Regional or Risk-Based Vaccines
- Hepatitis A Vaccine: Recommended for children in selected states/regions and certain high-risk groups. If indicated, the two-dose series (minimum age 12 months) should be administered at least 6 months apart 1
Important Clinical Considerations
Common pitfall: Providers sometimes delay catch-up vaccinations unnecessarily. Multiple vaccines can and should be administered simultaneously at separate anatomic sites when indicated, as this increases the likelihood of complete vaccination and provides timely protection 1, 2. Simultaneous administration does not increase adverse reactions or decrease immunogenicity 1.
Key principle: Inactivated vaccines can be administered at any time before or after live virus vaccines without interference 2. Only live vaccines not given on the same day should be separated by at least 4 weeks 2.
Documentation Requirements
All vaccines administered must be documented in the patient's permanent medical record 2. Vaccine Information Statements must be provided to parents before administering each vaccine dose 1.