Childhood vaccines are scheduled carefully, based on decades of research into when a child’s immune system responds best and when children are most at risk from specific diseases. The exact schedule varies a little from country to country, but the goal is the same everywhere: protecting children in their most vulnerable years.
The national schedule at a glance
| Age | Vaccines |
|---|---|
| At birth | BCG, oral polio (OPV), hepatitis B |
| 2, 4 and 6 months | Pentavalent, oral polio (OPV) |
| 12 months | MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) |
| 18 months | MMR, DTP, oral polio (OPV) |
| 6 years | DTP, oral polio (OPV) |
This table is a summary and must be checked against the Ministry of Health’s current schedule before launch; ask about your own child’s exact dates at a visit.
Why this timing?
Most vaccines are given in the first two years of life, with boosters in the years before school. Spacing them this way builds strong, lasting protection while keeping the number of visits reasonable.
Questions and the vaccination card
It’s completely normal to have questions about a specific vaccine, its timing, or mild side effects such as soreness or a low fever. Bringing them to a well-child visit, rather than delaying vaccines because of uncertain information online, is the best way to decide.
Keep a paper or digital vaccination record for your child; it pays off for years, from school enrollment to travel and future visits. Bring it to every visit so it always stays up to date.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please talk to your pediatrician about the vaccination schedule that’s right for your child.
