Vaccine schedule from birth to 14 months: what to expect

Q: How many vaccines does my baby need in the first year?

The STIKO schedule calls for multiple vaccine appointments in the first 14 months. In Germany, babies typically receive vaccines at 6 weeks (rotavirus oral drops), then at 2 months, 4 months, and 11 months (hexavalent and pneumococcal), with meningococcal B doses at 3, 4, and 12 months, meningococcal C at 12 months, and MMR with varicella at 11 months. In total this covers ten disease groups across roughly seven to eight clinic visits, many of which involve combination vaccines so the number of injections at any one visit is kept as low as possible.

0–14 months · Health · Reviewed 20 June 2026 · All articles

The first 14 months of a baby's life are the most vaccine-dense period in any immunisation program. More doses are given in this window than at any other time in childhood, and for good reason: newborns lose the temporary antibody protection passed from their mother during pregnancy within weeks of birth, leaving them vulnerable to serious infections at exactly the point when their own immune systems are least equipped to fight back. Vaccines close that gap. They teach the immune system to recognise and respond to dangerous pathogens before a real infection can cause harm.

For parents, keeping track of what is due, when, and at which clinic visit can feel overwhelming, especially during a period that is already full of new experiences and sleep deprivation. This guide walks through the recommended vaccination timeline from birth through 14 months, explains what each vaccine protects against, describes what to expect on the day, and covers how to manage normal reactions at home. All schedule information in this article is based on the recommendations published by the Ständige Impfkommission (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institut in Germany.

What is STIKO and why follow its recommendations?

STIKO stands for Ständige Impfkommission, which translates to the Standing Committee on Vaccination. It is the body in Germany responsible for developing and updating vaccination recommendations for the general population. STIKO meets regularly throughout the year to review the latest clinical evidence, safety data from post-market surveillance, epidemiological trends, and international guidelines. When the evidence supports a recommendation, STIKO publishes it in the Epidemiologisches Bulletin (Epidemiological Bulletin) of the Robert Koch Institut.

The recommendations are not legally binding, but they form the standard of care that paediatricians and general practitioners follow across Germany. Health insurers (gesetzliche Krankenkassen) are required to cover the costs of all STIKO-recommended vaccines, so there is no out-of-pocket expense for parents whose children are insured under the statutory health insurance system.

Following the schedule as closely as possible gives your baby the strongest possible protection at the right age. Gaps between recommended timing and actual vaccination, especially in the first six months, can leave babies unprotected at an age when diseases such as whooping cough (Keuchhusten) or invasive meningococcal disease carry the highest risk of severe complications or death.

The schedule month by month

The STIKO schedule for the first 14 months is structured around a series of well-child checks known as U-Untersuchungen (U1 through U6 in the first year). Vaccine appointments are generally timed to coincide with these check-ups to reduce the number of separate clinic visits families need to make.

U2: 4 to 5 days of age

The first well-child check (U2) happens in the maternity ward or shortly after discharge. No vaccinations are given at this appointment, but the paediatrician will review the newborn screening results from the first days of life (Neugeborenen-Screening), check for congenital hip dysplasia, and assess feeding. This visit is also a good time to ask any questions about the upcoming vaccination schedule and to confirm you have registered with a paediatrician (Kinderarzt) for the months ahead.

6 weeks: rotavirus

The first vaccine in the schedule is the rotavirus oral vaccine, given at around six weeks of age. Unlike most other vaccines in the schedule, rotavirus is given as oral drops rather than an injection. Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants worldwide, causing profuse watery diarrhoea and vomiting that can lead to dangerous dehydration very quickly. In the days before vaccination was routine, rotavirus caused around 600,000 deaths in children under five globally each year.

The oral vaccine comes in either a two-dose series (Rotarix) or a three-dose series (RotaTeq), and the timing of the second or third dose depends on which product is used. STIKO sets a strict maximum age for the last dose, because giving rotavirus vaccine after 24 weeks of age (for Rotarix) or 32 weeks (for RotaTeq) is not recommended due to the small risk of intussusception in older infants. It is important to start on time.

2 months: hexavalent and pneumococcal

The appointment at two months of age is one of the busiest on the schedule. Babies receive the first dose of the hexavalent combination vaccine (Sechsfachimpfstoff), which protects against six diseases in a single injection: diphtheria (Diphtherie), tetanus (Tetanus), whooping cough (Pertussis), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), poliomyelitis (Kinderlähmung), and hepatitis B. Combining all six antigens into one injection is a deliberate design choice: fewer injections on any given day means less distress for the baby and better compliance with the schedule overall.

At the same visit, babies receive the first dose of pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumokokken-Impfstoff). Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium responsible for pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, and middle ear infections (Mittelohrentzündung). Young infants are particularly vulnerable, and the pneumococcal vaccine given at two, four, and eleven months provides strong, long-lasting protection against the most dangerous strains.

3 months: meningococcal B

At around three months, babies receive the first dose of the meningococcal B vaccine (MenB, brand name Bexsero). Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in infants in Germany. The disease can progress from first symptoms to life-threatening illness within hours, and survivors may face serious long-term complications including hearing loss, limb amputation, and brain injury.

The MenB vaccine is associated with a higher rate of fever than most other vaccines in the schedule, particularly when given alongside other injections. STIKO recommends giving the three-month MenB dose as a standalone appointment, separated from the two-month or four-month combination visits, partly to spread the fever risk and partly because the vaccine schedule at two and four months is already dense.

4 months: hexavalent, pneumococcal, and meningococcal B

The four-month visit brings the second dose of the hexavalent vaccine and the second dose of pneumococcal vaccine. Depending on the rotavirus product used, this may also include the second or third oral rotavirus dose. A second dose of meningococcal B is also given at four months, although some schedules place this dose alongside the four-month hexavalent and pneumococcal rather than as a separate visit. Your paediatrician will advise on the local approach.

11 months: hexavalent booster, pneumococcal booster, and MMR/varicella

The eleven-month appointment is another significant milestone. Babies receive the third (booster) dose of the hexavalent vaccine and the third (booster) dose of the pneumococcal vaccine, completing the primary courses for both. They also receive the first dose of the MMR/V combination vaccine, which protects against measles (Masern), mumps (Mumps), rubella (Röteln), and varicella (Windpocken, or chickenpox).

Measles deserves particular attention. It is one of the most contagious infectious diseases known, spreading through the air before an infected person even knows they are sick. Complications include pneumonia, encephalitis (Gehirnentzündung), and a rare but always fatal late complication called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). Vaccination is the only reliable protection. A second MMR/V dose is given at 15 to 23 months to catch the small percentage of children who did not mount a full immune response to the first dose.

12 months: meningococcal B booster and meningococcal C

At twelve months, babies receive a third (booster) dose of meningococcal B vaccine, completing the MenB primary course. They also receive the first and only dose of meningococcal C vaccine (MenC). Together with the MenB doses given earlier, this gives broad protection against the two serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis most likely to cause disease in this age group in Germany.

14 months: catch-up window

The period up to 14 months also serves as a catch-up window within the schedule. If any dose was missed or delayed at an earlier visit, STIKO publishes specific catch-up guidance. In general, starting a series late does not mean restarting from zero: doses already given count, and the remaining doses can usually be completed on an accelerated schedule. Your paediatrician can review your baby's yellow health booklet (Gelbes Heft or U-Heft) and advise on the fastest safe path to full coverage.

What to expect on vaccine day

Preparing a little in advance can make the appointment smoother for both you and your baby. Bring the yellow health booklet (Impfausweis or the U-Heft section recording vaccinations) to every appointment. The paediatrician or practice nurse will record each dose including the batch number, which is important for traceability. If you use Cubby, you can also log the dose in the app immediately after the appointment.

There is no need to restrict feeding before a vaccination appointment. Breastfeeding during or immediately after an injection is well supported by evidence: the combination of skin contact, sucking, and the slight sweetness of breast milk activates pain-dampening pathways in the baby's nervous system and significantly reduces distress. Formula-fed babies can be offered a bottle for the same reason. Skin-to-skin holding and a calm, reassuring voice also help.

Injections are typically given into the anterolateral thigh (the outer front of the upper leg) in infants. If two injections are needed at the same visit, they will be given into different legs to allow easy monitoring of any localised reaction at each site. The injection itself takes only a second. Most babies cry briefly and then settle quickly, especially when held and comforted.

Ask the practice about their preference for paracetamol (Paracetamol) or ibuprofen on vaccine days, particularly for the visits that include meningococcal B. Some paediatricians recommend giving a dose of paracetamol shortly before the appointment, others prefer to wait and see. Follow your paediatrician's specific guidance rather than a general rule.

Common reactions and how to manage them

Mild reactions after vaccination are not a sign that something has gone wrong. They are a sign that the immune system is responding. The most common reactions in infancy are:

Localised redness and swelling at the injection site. This is very common and usually settles within 24 to 48 hours. A cool, damp cloth placed gently over the area can provide comfort.
Mild fever (up to 38.5 degrees Celsius). Offer extra fluids and keep clothing light. Age-appropriate paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used if your baby is clearly uncomfortable, following your paediatrician's dosing guidance.
Fussiness and unsettled sleep. Many babies are irritable or wakeful for one to two nights after a vaccine visit. This is normal and short-lived.
Reduced appetite. A slight dip in feeding interest for 24 hours is common. Continue to offer feeds regularly; most babies return to normal appetite within a day.

Contact your paediatrician promptly if your baby has a fever above 39 degrees Celsius, cries inconsolably for more than three hours, develops a spreading rash, seems unusually limp or difficult to wake, or has any breathing difficulty. These reactions are rare but should always be assessed by a doctor the same day.

Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to vaccines are extremely rare, occurring in roughly one in a million doses. This is why you are asked to wait in the clinic for 15 to 20 minutes after each injection: if a reaction does occur, the practice team is equipped to respond immediately.

Catch-up vaccination: if you miss a dose

Life with a newborn is unpredictable. Illness, a hospitalisation, a missed appointment, or simply an overwhelming few weeks can mean a vaccine falls behind schedule. Missing a dose does not start the course from scratch. STIKO publishes detailed catch-up guidance in its annual recommendations, setting out the minimum intervals between doses and the latest acceptable ages for certain vaccines.

For the hexavalent and pneumococcal vaccines, a delayed dose can usually be given at the next available opportunity with a shortened interval if needed. For rotavirus, the strict upper age limits mean that if your baby is approaching 24 weeks (Rotarix) or 32 weeks (RotaTeq) without completing the course, contact your paediatrician as soon as possible to assess whether it is still safe to complete it.

If you are unsure whether a dose your baby received in another country counts toward the German schedule, bring any documentation you have (including the foreign vaccination record) to your paediatrician. In many cases doses can be recognised and the schedule continued rather than restarted, but the paediatrician will review on a case-by-case basis using the STIKO guidance.

The single most important step if you think a dose has been missed is to call your paediatrician and check. Do not wait for the next routine appointment if a significant gap has opened up. The sooner a delayed dose is given, the shorter the window of vulnerability.

Frequently asked questions

How many vaccines does my baby need in the first year?

The STIKO schedule involves multiple vaccine appointments between birth and 14 months. Babies receive rotavirus oral drops at six weeks, then at two months they get their first hexavalent injection and first pneumococcal injection. Meningococcal B is given at three months (sometimes four), then the hexavalent and pneumococcal courses continue at four months and are completed at eleven months. MMR and varicella are added at eleven months. Meningococcal B is boosted at twelve months, and meningococcal C is given at twelve months. In total, this covers ten disease groups across roughly seven to eight clinic visits, with combination vaccines keeping the number of individual injections as low as possible.

Can I split vaccines to reduce stress on my baby?

Splitting combination vaccines is not recommended by STIKO. The hexavalent vaccine in particular is a well-studied product with an excellent safety record, and its combination design means fewer injections on any given day rather than more. Splitting doses would mean additional appointments, more individual injections overall, and gaps in protection during the intervals between split doses when your baby is at risk. If you are worried about your baby's comfort on vaccine day, discuss strategies with your paediatrician, such as breastfeeding during the injection, skin-to-skin contact, a pacifier dipped in sucrose solution, or distraction with sound and touch.

What should I do if my baby has a fever after vaccination?

A mild fever of up to 38.5 degrees Celsius in the 24 to 48 hours after vaccination is a normal immune response and does not need treatment beyond keeping your baby comfortable and well hydrated. Age-appropriate paracetamol can be given if your baby is clearly distressed, following your paediatrician's recommended dose. Contact your doctor the same day if the fever exceeds 39 degrees Celsius, lasts more than 48 hours, your baby cries inconsolably for more than three hours, or you notice any sign of serious illness such as a spreading rash, extreme limpness, or breathing difficulty.

Does Cubby track the vaccination schedule?

Yes. Cubby includes a built-in vaccine tracker that follows the STIKO recommended schedule. You can log each dose as it is given, receive reminders before upcoming appointments, and view your baby's complete vaccination history at any time. Open the app and navigate to the Health section to get started. Keeping a digital record alongside your yellow booklet means you always have a backup copy, even if the physical booklet is lost or left at home on appointment day.

Track every vaccine with Cubby

Never miss a dose. Cubby's built-in vaccine tracker follows the STIKO schedule from six weeks through to the toddler years, sending you a reminder before each appointment is due. Log the dose in seconds after each visit, view your baby's full vaccination history, and share the record with your partner or carer, all in one calm, private app.

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