Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13)

It prevents: Streptococcus pneumoniae, an illness that can be serious and even lead to death. It can cause blood infections, ear infections, meningitis and pneumonia in children. The vaccine protects children for three years, when they are most vulnerable to the disease.

When baby gets it : At 2 months, 4 months and 6 months, and a booster given between 12 and 15 months.

Possible side effects: Low-grade fever, redness, tenderness at injection site.

Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV)

It prevents: Polio, once a widespread epidemic that killed and paralyzed thousands of people.

When baby gets it: At 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years.

Possible side effects: Soreness or redness near the site of injection; an allergic reaction rarely occurs.

Inactivated Influenza Vaccine

It prevents: The flu — which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is more dangerous to children than the common cold. The strains included in the 2012-2013 vaccine are H1N1, H3N2 and the influenza B virus.

When baby gets it: Annually, from age 6 months.

Possible side effects: Fever, aches, soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine (MMR)

It prevents: Measles, mumps and rubella, dangerous diseases that can cause rashes and fevers and that can lead to serious conditions like pneumonia, meningitis, seizures and deafness.

When baby gets it: One dose at 12 to 15 months and a second dose at 4 to 6 years.

Possible side effects: Rash, slight fever, joint aches, swelling in neck and salivary glands for a week or two after receiving the shot.

Varicella Vaccine

It prevents: Chicken pox — some people that get the vaccine may still get chicken pox, but it’s usually very mild and the recovery time is faster. The risks of chicken pox are fever and a severe rash. Complications from chicken pox include a bacterial infection of the skin, swelling of the brain and pneumonia. Many states now require children to get the vaccine before entering school. The vaccine is now recommended because it results in less illness if your child does get chicken pox and less time missed from school, plus it prevents against severe infections.

When baby gets it: One dose at 12 to 15 months and a second dose at 4 to 6 years.

Possible side effects: Soreness or swelling at the injection site, mild fever, rash.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

It prevents: Hepatitis A, a disease that causes liver inflammation. Young children may not have symptoms, so often the disease is not recognized until the child’s caregiver becomes ill.

When baby gets it: One dose at 12 to 23 months and a second dose six months after.

Possible side effects: Soreness at the injection site, headache, loss of appetite, tiredness.

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine, Quadrivalent (MCV4)

It prevents: Meningococcal disease, which can cause meningitis, blood infections and other infections. Infants less than 1 year old and college freshmen who live in dormitories are most susceptible.

When baby gets it: It is recommended for high-risk children between the ages of 9 to 23 months old to get two doses. Two doses of the vaccine are recommended for children and adolescents between 11 and 18 years old (the first at 11 or 12 years and a booster at 16 years).

Possible side effects: Redness and soreness at the injection site; very few people can develop a fever.