Why are different vaccination schedules used in different countries?
Most countries around the world tend to recommend the same kinds of vaccines for babies, children and adults. However, vaccination schedules are not exactly the same from country to country. There may be differences in:
- the number of different types of vaccines included in the programme
- the manufacturers who supply the vaccines (leading to different brand names)
- the ages at which vaccines and boosters are recommended
- the number of vaccine doses that are recommended for each vaccine
- the types of vaccines recommended for the whole population
- the types of vaccines recommended for special groups (such as pregnant people)
In the US and Canada, for example, the flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age, while in the UK the programme is targeted to children over the age of 2 years, adults over 65 years, pregnant women and special groups such as those with serious medical conditions. Some vaccines are not included in the UK routine programme, but are recommended in other countries; for example, chickenpox (varicella) vaccines are routinely recommended in Australia and the USA, but not in the UK. In the UK the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine is offered to pregnant women in order to protect their newborn babies, and this programme has been very successful. However, some countries recommend ‘cocooning’ (vaccination of close contacts of pregnant people) instead, while most countries just offer the pertussis vaccine to babies.
These variations are the result of:
-
Differences in the epidemiology (patterns and frequency) of the disease in each country
- Differences in the way that countries make decisions about which vaccines to offer to everyone
- Capacity of the health system to add new vaccines
- Cost
- History and tradition (“we have always done it this way”)
Due to these differences, there is no single correct immunisation schedule for worldwide use and it is important that you follow the recommended schedule for your region.
This page below provides information and links to immunisation schedules in different regions including: Worldwide, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. If you are unsure about the vaccinations you need in your area, or you cannot find your country on this list, please contact your relevant healthcare professional.
Vaccination Schedules:
Worldwide
The World Health Organization (WHO) has a useful tool which allows you to view all the vaccines routinely offered in many countries globally. Select your country of interest from the drop-down menu and click on the vaccination schedule below.
The UK government has also created a comparison tool intended for use amongst individuals working in general practice to compare vaccination schedules between the UK and countries that individuals commonly immigrate to the UK from.
Africa:
Nigeria
The national immunisation schedule for Nigeria can be found the WHO site.
Kenya
The National Immunisation Schedule for Kenya can be found on the WHO site.
The childhood immunisation schedule for South Africa provided by the National Department of Health can be found here.
Asia:
China
The national childhood immunisation schedule in China is provided by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国国家卫生健康委员会). Information for those eligible for influenza vaccination due to age, occupation or underlying chronic health is also provided by the government.
India
The national immunisation schedule for India can be found on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare site.
Indonesia
The national immunisation schedule for Indonesia can be seen on the WHO site.
Malaysia
The national immunisation schedule under the National Immunisation Program in Malaysia can be found on the MyHealth: Ministry of Health Malaysia site. Information on targeted vaccines for specific groups including pregnant people, individuals with chronic health conditions, healthcare workers, travellers, food handlers and children born after certain years can also be found here.
Pakistan
Information about the immunisation schedule implemented under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in Pakistan can be found here. Information on tetanus vaccination during pregnancy is also provided here under “How do you prevent tetanus?”.
Philippines
The national immunisation schedule in the Philippines can be found via the WHO site.
Russia
The National Immunisation Schedule for Russia can be found on the Russian Ministry of Health (Министерство здравоохранения Российской Федерации) website here.
Singapore
The National Immunisation Schedules for both children and adults can be found on Singapore’s Ministry of Health site. This page provides information for both childhood and adult immunisation schedules.
Sri Lanka
The National Immunisation Schedule for Sri Lanka can be found on the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health website.
Thailand
The vaccination schedule according to the Immunisation Program of the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand can be found on the Department of Disease Control (กรมควบคุมโรค) site.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The vaccination schedule for children in the UAE is available through the UAE government website here. This page also provides other information relevant to children’s health including information about newborn health check-ups and screening.
Europe
Vaccination schedules for all countries in the EU/EEA can be found on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Controls (ECDC) site here. You can use either the ‘quick search’ function to look at all the full vaccination schedule for your chosen country or use the ‘advanced search’ to look for vaccines against a specific disease, or to compare national immunisation schedules between different countries.
France
The French Ministry of Health (Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé) provides both simplified and detailed vaccination schedules.
Germany
The vaccination schedule for Germany can be found on the Robert Koch Institute site. Translations of this schedule are also available in other languages.
Ireland
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides information for: baby and childhood immunisations, school age children and adult vaccines.
Italy
The Ministry of Health in Italy (Ministero della Salute) provides information on the national vaccination schedule, this includes both mandatory and recommended vaccines and is available in both Italian and English.
Lithuania
The detailed vaccination schedule for Lithuania can be found here. A simplified version is also available from the Centre for Communicable Diseases and AIDS (Užkrečiamųjų ligų ir AIDS centras - ULAC).
Netherlands
The Dutch National Immunisation Schedule is provided by the Ministry of Health, Well-being and Sport (Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport) in various languages. This page also provides vaccination schedules for Dutch special municipalities (Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius). An interactive immunisation schedule featuring further details and videos about the diseases each vaccine protects against is also available.
Poland
The immunisation schedule in Poland is provided by the National Institute of Public Health (Narodowy Instytut Zdrowia Publicznego). A helpful guide to immunisation is also available for parents. This provides more detail about vaccination in Poland and answers frequently asked questions.
Portugal
A simple overview of the vaccination schedule in Portugal is provided by the Portuguese Direção-Geral da Saúde. More information can be found via the Portuguese National Health Service (SNS).
Romania
More information on the national vaccination schedule in Romania is provided by the Romanian National Institute of Public Health (Institutul National de Sănătate Publică Romania).
Russia
The National Immunisation Schedule for Russia can be found on the Russian Ministry of Health (Министерство здравоохранения Российской Федерации) website.
Spain
The Spanish Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Sanidad) provides vaccine schedules for members of the general population and those in at risk groups here.
United Kingdom
For information on routine vaccinations in the UK, please see our dedicated page on the UK Immunisation Schedule.
A basic version of the national vaccination schedule in Ukraine can be found on the Ministry of Health of Ukraine site. A more detailed version is provided by the WHO.
North America
United States
Vaccination schedules for the United States can be found on the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) site. Two schedules are provided, one for those aged 18 and below and the other for those aged 19+. The CDC also provides the childhood immunisation schedules in parent-friendly, easy to read formats from birth to 6 years and 7 to 18 years.
Canada
Vaccination schedules in Canada are published on the Government of Canada website for both children and adults. The site also provides a tool to produce a personalised vaccination schedule for childhood immunisations.
Oceania
Australia
The national immunisation program schedule is provided by the provided by the Department of Health within the Australian Government and can be found here. Recommended vaccines may also vary between states/territories, so it is also important to check the immunisation schedule for your area. Links to state and territory immunisation schedules can also be found at the same page as above.
New Zealand
The Immunisation Schedule for New Zealand can be found on the Ministry of Health site.
Not listed
For any countries not listed here, please see the 'Worldwide' section above for resources for other countries.
International travel from the UK
If you are planning to travel overseas from the UK, there may be additional vaccines recommended. The Nathnac website has details aimed at travellers. NaTHNaC (the National Travel Health Network and Centre) is commissioned by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to provide up to date and reliable information on travel vaccines for UK travellers. Appointments should be made with the nurse at your GP practice at least 6-8 weeks before you travel.
Page last updated:
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
