Why schedules differ between countries
The core of every childhood schedule is similar - diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, hepatitis B, pneumococcal, measles-mumps-rubella and meningococcal protection appear almost everywhere. The differences come from three things: which diseases are common locally (BCG for tuberculosis, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis), how the health system delivers vaccines (through GPs, clinics or schools), and local judgement on dosing strategy and optional vaccines such as chickenpox and rotavirus.
If your child is vaccinated on any national schedule, they are well protected. When you move, a clinician in the new country will compare the two schedules and give any missing doses - your child does not start over. Read more in our guide to why vaccine schedules differ between countries.