Are we giving babies more vaccines than the military?

In a video, anti-vaccine lawyer Mary Holland claims that the military only allows its members to get 5 vaccines at a time while babies get 10 vaccines at a time.

When new recruits arrive at basic training, they often receive several vaccines close together, sometimes on the same day. The exact number is not fixed. Some recruits may receive only two or three shots if they are already up to date. Others may receive more, often between 5 and 9, depending on their medical history and what they need.

There is also a longer list of vaccines used by the military, and in total it can include up to 19 different vaccines. However, no single recruit receives all of these at once. The number and timing depend on each person’s needs, their job, and where they may be sent.

For babies, vaccines are also based on their needs, but those needs are very similar for almost all babies. Doctors follow a standard schedule because babies’ immune systems are still developing, and they face many of the same risks at the same ages. While babies may receive several vaccines during one visit, these are carefully tested and planned to be safe and effective when given together.

There is no simple rule like “only five at a time” for the military. The number of vaccines given at once depends on medical guidance and individual needs, not a strict limit.