Vaccines that Can Be Administered Together
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive certain vaccines at specific times throughout their childhood. It is important to make sure that all recommended vaccines are given in the correct order and on the proper schedule. However, there are some vaccines that can be administered at the same time.
Combined Vaccines
These are vaccines that contain antigens for more than one disease. Examples of combined vaccines include the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine and the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccine. These vaccines are meant to protect children from multiple diseases with a single injection.
Simultaneous Vaccines
These are vaccines that are administered at the same time but are different types of vaccines. For example, a child may receive the DTaP, polio, and the hepatitis B vaccines all in the same visit. In this case, the child would receive three separate injections but all at the same time.
Concurrent Vaccines
These are vaccines that are administered at the same time but are different versions of the same vaccine. For example, a child may receive both the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and the oral polio vaccine (OPV) at the same time.
It is important to speak to a doctor or healthcare provider to determine which vaccines are right for a child and which can be administered together. The CDC recommends that children receive all recommended vaccines in order to protect them from serious diseases and illnesses.