Vaccination for children
Immunization schedules vary by country depending on which diseases are most prevalent. You can find an overview of the recommended vaccines and approximate dates from your local health centre, doctor or your government’s Ministry of Health.
Early childhood vaccines are one of the best ways to protect your child from serious diseases that can be especially dangerous for infants and very young children. By getting your child vaccinated, you can help keep your family and your community healthy. Below are recommended vaccinations at different ages.
Recommendations for all children (age of first dose)
- BCG: as soon as possible after birth
- Hepatitis B: as soon as possible after birth (less than 24 hours)
- Polio: 6-8 weeks depending on vaccine
- DTP containing vaccine: 6 weeks min
- Haemophilus influenza type b: 6 weeks min., 59 months (max)
- Pneumococcal (conjugate): 6 weeks min
- Rotavirus: 6 weeks (min) with DTP1
- Measles: 9-12 months (6 months min.)
- Rubella: 9 or 12 months with measles containing vaccine
- HPV: As soon as possible from 9 years of age
Recommendations for children residing in certain regions (age of first dose)
- Japanese Encephalitis: 6-9 months depending on vaccine
- Yellow Fever: 9-12 months with measles containing vaccine
- Tick-Borne Encephalitis: 1-3 years or older depending on vaccine
Recommendations for children in some high-risk populations (age of first dose)
- Typhoid: 6 months or older depending on vaccine
- Cholera: 1-2 years min. Depending on vaccine
- Meningococcal: 2-11 months or older depending on vaccine
- Hepatitis A: 1 year
- Rabies: As required
- Dengue: 9 years min.
Recommendations for children receiving vaccinations from vaccination programmes with certain characteristics (age of first dose)
- Mumps: 12-18 months with measles containing vaccine
- Seasonal influenza (inactivated tri- and qudri-valent): 6 months (min)
- Varicella: 12-18 months
For more information on these vaccines, please visit WHO’s recommendations for routine vaccination HERE(external link data charges may apply)
