The short version
United Kingdom's routine schedule covers 6 diseases that South Africa's does not: Mumps, Chickenpox, Meningococcal B, Meningococcal C, Meningococcal A, W, Y and Flu. Depending on your child's age, the new clinic may offer these as catch-up doses.
South Africa also routinely vaccinates against Tuberculosis (BCG), which United Kingdom does not include for all children. Keep the record of those doses - they still count.
For Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping cough, Polio, Hib and Hepatitis B and others, both countries vaccinate but at different ages. If you move part-way through a course, the new clinic will fit the remaining doses into the local schedule; a dose your child has already had is not wasted.
From each country's official schedule. Combination vaccines mean one injection can count for several diseases.
| Disease | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria Both - different ages | 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 months, 6 years, 12 years | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | Both - different ages |
| Tetanus Both - different ages | 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 months, 6 years, 12 years | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | Both - different ages |
| Whooping cough Both - different ages | 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months | Both - different ages |
| Polio Both - different ages | Birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | Both - different ages |
| Hib Both - different ages | 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months | Both - different ages |
| Hepatitis B Both - different ages | Birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months | Both - different ages |
| Pneumococcal disease Both - different ages | 6 weeks, 14 weeks, 9 months | 16 weeks, 1 year (12-13 months) | Both - different ages |
| Rotavirus Both - different ages | 6 weeks, 14 weeks | 8 weeks, 12 weeks | Both - different ages |
| Measles Both - different ages | 6 months, 12 months | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | Both - different ages |
| Mumps Only in United Kingdom | - | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | Only in United Kingdom |
| Rubella Both - different ages | 6 months, 12 months | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | Both - different ages |
| Chickenpox Only in United Kingdom | - | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | Only in United Kingdom |
| Meningococcal B Only in United Kingdom | - | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 1 year (12-13 months) | Only in United Kingdom |
| Meningococcal C Only in United Kingdom | - | 14 years (school year 9) | Only in United Kingdom |
| Meningococcal A, W, Y Only in United Kingdom | - | 14 years (school year 9) | Only in United Kingdom |
| HPV Both - different ages | Grade 5 (around 9-10 years) | 12 to 13 years (school year 8) | Both - different ages |
| Flu Only in United Kingdom | - | 2 years to school Year 11 (annually) | Only in United Kingdom |
| Tuberculosis (BCG) Only in South Africa | Birth | - | Only in South Africa |
What to do when you arrive
- Bring written records. Your child's vaccination record (the UK "red book", a clinic printout or an app export) with the vaccine names, dates and batch numbers if you have them. If it is not in English, a translation helps.
- Register with a doctor or clinic early and ask for a vaccination review rather than waiting for the next scheduled appointment.
- Expect to continue, not restart. Doses already given are normally counted; the clinic fills the gaps to match United Kingdom's schedule for your child's current age.
- Check nursery and school requirements. United Kingdom's health service will usually ask for your child's vaccination history when you register with a doctor or clinic, and may compare it with the local schedule before nursery or school.
- Moving the other way later? Keep copies of everything - see moving from United Kingdom to South Africa (coming soon).
See the full schedules: South Africa · United Kingdom · or compare any two countries on the comparison page.
This page compares routine childhood schedules and is general information, not medical advice. Your new doctor or nurse will advise on your own child, including any vaccines for health conditions or travel.
- South Africa - National Department of Health - Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI-SA)
- United Kingdom - NHS / UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
Schedules last checked 2026-09-09 (South Africa) and 2026-09-16 (United Kingdom). How we check.