2021 Recommended U.S. Immunization Schedules for Children/Teens and for Adults Just Released – Laminated versions available for pre-order from IAC

February 2021

Technically Speaking
A Monthly Column by Deborah Wexler, MD
Deborah Wexler MD
IAC Executive Director Dr. Deborah Wexler writes Technically Speaking, a column featured in each issue of Vaccine Update for Healthcare Professionals, the monthly e-newsletter from the Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Technically Speaking columns cover practical topics in immunization delivery such as vaccine administration techniques, storage and handling, contraindications and precautions, and scheduling.
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TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
2021 Recommended U.S. Immunization Schedules for Children/Teens and for Adults Just Released – Laminated versions available for pre-order from IAC
Published February 2021
Every February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with several professional societies, releases updated versions of the recommended U.S. immunization schedules for children and teens, as well as for adults. The 2021 versions were published on the CDC website on February 12, 2021, and accompanying MMWR articles were released simultaneously. Information on these publications is highlighted below.

Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedules

Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for Ages 18 Years or Younger — This eight-page PDF document includes the age-based routine vaccination schedule for children and teens (Table 1), the recommended “catch-up” immunization schedule for those who start late or who are more than one month behind schedule (Table 2), and the recommended schedule by medical indication (Table 3). The Notes section following the tables provides essential details about use of each of the recommended vaccines.

ACIP Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger – U.S., 2021 – This MMWR article contains full details about the changes made to the child/teen schedule since the 2020 edition, background information on the schedule, and mentions use of COVID-19 vaccine under Emergency Use Authorization.

Adult Immunization Schedules

Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule for Ages 19 Years and Older — This six-page document includes the age-based routine schedule immunization for adults (Table 1) and recommendations based on medical condition and other indications (Table 2). The Notes section following the tables provides important details about use of each of the recommended vaccines.

ACIP Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adult Aged 19 Years or Older – U.S., 2021 – This MMWR article contains full details about the changes made to the adult schedule since the 2020 edition, background information on the schedule, and mentions use of COVID-19 vaccine under Emergency Use Authorization.

IAC’s Laminated Versions of the U.S. Immunization Schedules

Every year, the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) develops laminated versions of the U.S. immunization schedules and makes them available for purchase. The schedules are printed eight-sided or six-sided (child/teen and adult versions, respectively) and fold to measure 8.5″ x 11″, conveniently fitting into exam room racks. The 2021 laminated schedules are now available for preorder and will be mailed the first week of March.

For more information (including pricing and bulk purchase discounts), visit IAC’s website:

Additional Resources

From CDC

From IAC

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