Celebrate the first year—and keep going strong
Congratulations on your baby’s first birthday! As they grow more active, routine checkups are a chance to track their progress and receive vaccines to help protect against diseases.
Each routine checkup helps you through important milestones and supports your baby’s health and development.
Your baby’s vaccines at 12-15 months
At the 12- and 15-month checkups, your baby receives the fourth and final dose of several important vaccines, including pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). Your baby should have received the first 3 doses of PCV at 2, 4, and 6 months. If things got in the way, you can use your next checkup to ask your pediatrician about getting back on track. Remember, it’s important to finish the full series for an optimal immune system response.
Your baby will also begin some new vaccines during this time. It’s common to continue those while completing the progress you've already made. It’s normal—and recommended—for babies to receive several vaccines at one checkup, and their immune system can handle it.
Remember, every vaccine dose matters. Use the CDC’s recommended vaccine schedule to help you stay on track.
What to expect at routine checkups during this stage
12-month checkup
Vaccinations
Many vaccines are recommended between 12 and 15 months. Your pediatrician may give some at this visit and others at the next checkup, depending on your baby’s schedule.
Routine vaccines at this age:
- First dose of:
- Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR)
- Varicella vaccine (chickenpox)
- Hepatitis A vaccine (HepA)
- Third dose of:
- Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), depending on schedule
- Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB), if not yet completed
- Fourth dose of:
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib), depending on brand
Catch-up vaccines:
- May be given if any earlier doses were missed
Additional vaccines:
- Influenza (flu), if in season
- COVID-19, if eligible and recommended
Developmental milestones
- Walks or pulls to stand
- Uses gestures (waving, pointing)
- Says 1 or 2 words
Additional screenings
- Lead and hemoglobin (anemia) tests
- Dental screening
Discussion topics and tips
- Talk about nutrition, milk transitions, and routines
- Reinforce safety for new mobility
- Practice praising your child for good behavior
- Go over optimal screen time
15-month checkup
Vaccinations
Many vaccines are scheduled between 12 and 15 months. If not already given at the 12-month checkup, your pediatrician may recommend these at this visit.
Routine vaccines at this age (if not already administered):
- First dose of:
- Hepatitis A vaccine (HepA) (if not started at 12 months)
- Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR), if not administered at 12 months
- Varicella vaccine (chickenpox), if not administered at 12 months
- Third dose of:
- Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), depending on schedule
- Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB), if not yet completed
- Fourth dose of:
- Diptheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP)
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), if not administered at 12 months
- Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib), depending on brand
- Additional vaccines:
- Influenza (flu), if in season
- COVID-19, if eligible and recommended
Developmental milestones
- Runs
- Uses 3 words (other than names)
- Imitates scribbling
Additional screenings
- Growth and physical exam
- Behavioral and social development check
Discussion topics and tips
- Ask about tantrums, routines, and toddler transitions
- Practice patience with messy mealtimes
- Set rules and limits to teach your child
- Teach your child words by reading and naming objects
