Vaccines are one of the most effective public health tools to protect infants and children from dangerous infectious diseases. This guide outlines the recommended immunizations for babies in the first year of life (per CDC/AAP schedule), including Hepatitis B at birth, and the series at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months for diseases like polio, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), Hib, pneumococcal, rotavirus, and more. We also note vaccines given during pregnancy (like Tdap and flu) to protect newborns. We explain why these vaccines are timed as they are and address common questions about them.

Shortly after birth, every U.S. newborn undergoes a series of screening tests to detect hidden disorders that, if caught early, can be treated or managed to prevent serious problems. These include the heel-prick blood test (newborn metabolic screen), a hearing test, and a critical congenital heart disease screen. This guide explains what conditions are screened for, why these tests are done, and how results are handled. We also mention the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) set by HHS, which guides states’ screening programs.