Childhood Vaccination Schedules

Families moving between countries often ask - how childhood vaccination schedules compare and what they should do. I have created this video to help you understand the main differences and how to find clarity quickly. Vaccines protect children from serious illnesses that can otherwise cause real harm. Most countries protect against the same core diseases - but the timing, brands, and combinations vary in important ways. The UK childhood schedule starts at eight weeks of age - with routine appointments at eight; twelve; and sixteen weeks. Further appointments follow at one year; eighteen months; and three years four months - under the updated 2026 schedule. UK vaccines protect against a wide range of diseases, including: diphtheria; tetanus; whooping cough; polio; hepatitis B; haemophilus influenzae type B; meningitis B; and rotavirus. The MMRV vaccine, introduced in January 2026; now adds protection against chickenpox alongside measles, mumps, and rubella. By contrast, the United States schedule begins earlier, with a hepatitis B dose given at birth. It also includes vaccines not offered routinely in the UK, such as the hepatitis A vaccine. Some diseases are covered at different timings; and the US schedule does not routinely include meningitis B for babies. Several Middle Eastern countries have comprehensive national childhood immunisation schedules, that include additional vaccines such as: MenACWY; BCG; and hepatitis A - depending on the country. Your child may therefore have protection already in place, that maps differently onto the UK schedule. European schedules vary widely between countries, with some starting later or using different combinations of vaccines. Many families relocating between the Middle East, UK, and the US find that their child's record does not map directly onto the new country's schedule. These differences can feel confusing - but they reflect each country's careful assessment of local disease patterns. Schedules are designed to give children protection - at the points where they are most at risk. The UK Health Security Agency publishes a free international comparison tool, that maps schedules from twenty-one common countries of origin. This is a useful starting point for families needing to reconcile records. When a child arrives in the UK with vaccines from another country, the goal is to bring them safely up to date. This may mean catch-up doses, additional vaccines, or in some cases simply accepting protection that is already in place. Translating overseas vaccination records can also be a barrier for many families I see in clinic. As a paediatrician with German; UK; and US training - I help families navigate this gently and accurately. International families often value a calm, unhurried conversation about what is needed before booking appointments. We work through your child's full record; identify gaps; and agree a plan that fits your family's circumstances. If you have specific concerns, such as a family history of allergic reactions, please raise these in advance. Most children with mild reactions to previous vaccines can still be safely vaccinated with appropriate care and planning. For routine UK vaccinations, your GP practice remains the primary destination through the NHS programme. For more complex international situations, a paediatric review can help you feel confident about the right path forward. Please contact me anytime, if you have further questions about your child's vaccinations or international care. To book a consultation, please visit Planet MediKids at planetmedikids.com, where I would be glad to help.