Important: VAERS reports alone cannot determine if a vaccine caused an adverse event. Reports may contain incomplete, inaccurate, or unverified information. Correlation does not equal causation.
The recommended CDC immunization schedule with links to VAERS adverse event data for each vaccine. Click any vaccine to see its complete safety profile.
Parents often wonder about the total number of injections. By age 2, a child following the CDC schedule receives approximately 20–25 doses protecting against 14 diseases. While this sounds like a lot, several factors reduce the actual number of needle sticks:
Each vaccine in the table below links to its VAERS adverse event data, so you can review reported side effects for any specific vaccine.
Some vaccines are recommended only for specific populations or situations:
This schedule follows the CDC's recommended immunization schedule, which is reviewed annually by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The schedule represents the standard of care in the United States.
Each vaccine listed links to its VAERS data profile, where you can see reported adverse events, symptom breakdowns, age distributions, and year-over-year trends. For vaccines with dedicated side effect guides, click the "Side Effects" button for a comprehensive analysis.
Children who miss doses may need a catch-up schedule with different timing. Adults who were never vaccinated may need certain childhood vaccines. The CDC provides detailed catch-up schedules at cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules.
For deeper context on how the routine schedule has changed for 2026, see our 2026 vaccine schedule analysis. To review the newest addition to the schedule for infants, pregnant people, and older adults, read our 2026 RSV vaccine analysis. You can also browse detailed side-effect guides for specific shots, including COVID-19, influenza, MMR, and HPV vaccines.