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:
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
India
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
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
Ireland
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
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
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
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
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
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.