The UK's routine childhood schedule protects against 17 diseases (see the full United Kingdom schedule). Doses your child has already had abroad almost always count - the job on arrival is to get them recorded and fill any gaps.
Your first weeks in the UK
- Register your child with a GP surgery as soon as you arrive. You do not need proof of address or immigration status to register.
- Routine childhood vaccines, including catch-up doses, are free on the NHS. Your health visitor can give you a "red book" to record them for children under 5.
- Schools do not ask for proof of vaccination, but some vaccines are given in school: the nasal flu vaccine each year, HPV in Year 8, and the teenage booster and MenACWY in Year 9.
- Bring your child's written vaccination record with vaccine names, dates and batch numbers if you have them. If it is not in English, a translation helps.
Coming from: United States · Australia · Canada · India · South Africa. Another country? Use the comparison tool.
🇺🇸 Coming from the US
Every disease on the UK's routine schedule is also covered in the US, so a child who is up to date is unlikely to need extra vaccines.
The US also routinely vaccinates against Hepatitis A, which the UK does not give every child. Keep the record of those doses - they still count.
Both countries cover diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Hib and more, but at different ages, so a course started in the US is finished on the UK's timetable.
Bring the immunization record from your pediatrician or your state immunization registry.
Side by side: the US and the UK ages for each disease
| Disease | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, 4 to 6 years, 11 to 12 years | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Tetanus | 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, 4 to 6 years, 11 to 12 years | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Whooping cough | 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, 4 to 6 years, 11 to 12 years | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Polio | 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 4 to 6 years | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Hib | 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 to 15 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months | |
| Hepatitis B | Birth, 1 to 2 months, 6 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months | |
| Pneumococcal disease | 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 to 15 months | 16 weeks, 1 year (12-13 months) | |
| Rotavirus | 2 months, 4 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks | |
| Measles | 12 to 15 months, 4 to 6 years | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Mumps | 12 to 15 months, 4 to 6 years | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Rubella | 12 to 15 months, 4 to 6 years | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Chickenpox | 12 to 15 months, 4 to 6 years | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Meningococcal B | 16 years | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 1 year (12-13 months) | |
| Meningococcal C | 11 to 12 years, 16 years | 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Meningococcal A, W, Y | 11 to 12 years, 16 years | 14 years (school year 9) | |
| HPV | 11 to 12 years | 12 to 13 years (school year 8) | |
| Flu | 6 months | 2 years to school Year 11 (annually) | |
| Hepatitis A Only in the US | 12 to 15 months, 15 to 18 months | - | Only in the US |
From each country's official schedule. Combination vaccines mean one injection can count for several diseases. Full United States schedule.
🇦🇺 Coming from Australia
The UK's routine schedule covers a disease that Australia's does not: Meningococcal B. Depending on your child's age, these may be offered as catch-up doses.
Both countries cover diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Hib and more, but at different ages, so a course started in Australia is finished on the UK's timetable.
Bring an Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register.
Side by side: Australia and the UK ages for each disease
| Disease | 🇦🇺 Australia | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 2 months (from 6 weeks), 4 months, 6 months, 18 months, 4 years, 12 to 13 years (school program) | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Tetanus | 2 months (from 6 weeks), 4 months, 6 months, 18 months, 4 years, 12 to 13 years (school program) | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Whooping cough | 2 months (from 6 weeks), 4 months, 6 months, 18 months, 4 years, 12 to 13 years (school program) | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Polio | 2 months (from 6 weeks), 4 months, 6 months, 4 years | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Hib | 2 months (from 6 weeks), 4 months, 6 months, 18 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months | |
| Hepatitis B | Birth, 2 months (from 6 weeks), 4 months, 6 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months | |
| Pneumococcal disease | 2 months (from 6 weeks), 4 months, 12 months | 16 weeks, 1 year (12-13 months) | |
| Rotavirus | 2 months (from 6 weeks), 4 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks | |
| Measles | 12 months, 18 months | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Mumps | 12 months, 18 months | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Rubella | 12 months, 18 months | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Chickenpox | 18 months | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Meningococcal B Only in the UK | - | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 1 year (12-13 months) | Only in the UK |
| Meningococcal C | 12 months, 14 to 16 years (school program) | 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Meningococcal A, W, Y | 12 months, 14 to 16 years (school program) | 14 years (school year 9) | |
| HPV | 12 to 13 years (school program) | 12 to 13 years (school year 8) | |
| Flu | 6 months | 2 years to school Year 11 (annually) |
From each country's official schedule. Combination vaccines mean one injection can count for several diseases. Full Australia schedule.
🇨🇦 Coming from Canada
The UK's routine schedule covers a disease that Canada's does not: Meningococcal B. Depending on your child's age, these may be offered as catch-up doses.
Both countries cover diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Hib and more, but at different ages, so a course started in Canada is finished on the UK's timetable.
Bring your provincial or territorial immunization record.
Side by side: Canada and the UK ages for each disease
| Disease | 🇨🇦 Canada | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 18 months, 4 to 6 years, Grade 9 or 14-16 years (province dependent) | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Tetanus | 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 18 months, 4 to 6 years, Grade 9 or 14-16 years (province dependent) | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Whooping cough | 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 18 months, 4 to 6 years, Grade 9 or 14-16 years (province dependent) | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Polio | 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 18 months, 4 to 6 years | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Hib | 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 18 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months | |
| Hepatitis B | 2 months, Grade 6 (around 11-12 years) | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months | |
| Pneumococcal disease | 2 months, 4 months, 12 months | 16 weeks, 1 year (12-13 months) | |
| Rotavirus | 2 months, 4 months, 6 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks | |
| Measles | 12 months, 18 months, 4 to 6 years | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Mumps | 12 months, 18 months, 4 to 6 years | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Rubella | 12 months, 18 months, 4 to 6 years | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Chickenpox | 12 months, 18 months, 4 to 6 years | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Meningococcal B Only in the UK | - | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 1 year (12-13 months) | Only in the UK |
| Meningococcal C | 12 months, Grade 6 (around 11-12 years) | 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Meningococcal A, W, Y | Grade 6 (around 11-12 years) | 14 years (school year 9) | |
| HPV | Grade 6 (around 11-12 years) | 12 to 13 years (school year 8) | |
| Flu | 6 months | 2 years to school Year 11 (annually) |
From each country's official schedule. Combination vaccines mean one injection can count for several diseases. Full Canada schedule.
🇮🇳 Coming from India
The UK's routine schedule covers 6 diseases that India's does not: Mumps, Chickenpox, Meningococcal B, Meningococcal C, Meningococcal A, W, Y and Flu. Depending on your child's age, these may be offered as catch-up doses.
India also routinely vaccinates against Tuberculosis (BCG) and Japanese encephalitis, which the UK does not give every child. Keep the record of those doses - they still count.
Both countries cover diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Hib and more, but at different ages, so a course started in India is finished on the UK's timetable.
Bring the Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card.
Side by side: India and the UK ages for each disease
| Disease | 🇮🇳 India | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 16 to 24 months, 5 to 6 years, 10 years, 16 years | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Tetanus | 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 16 to 24 months, 5 to 6 years, 10 years, 16 years | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Whooping cough | 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 16 to 24 months, 5 to 6 years | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Polio | Birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 16 to 24 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months, 14 years (school year 9) | |
| Hib | 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months | |
| Hepatitis B | Birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months | |
| Pneumococcal disease | 6 weeks, 14 weeks, 9 to 12 months | 16 weeks, 1 year (12-13 months) | |
| Rotavirus | 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks | 8 weeks, 12 weeks | |
| Measles | 9 to 12 months, 16 to 24 months | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Mumps Only in the UK | - | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | Only in the UK |
| Rubella | 9 to 12 months, 16 to 24 months | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Chickenpox Only in the UK | - | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | Only in the UK |
| Meningococcal B Only in the UK | - | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 1 year (12-13 months) | Only in the UK |
| Meningococcal C Only in the UK | - | 14 years (school year 9) | Only in the UK |
| Meningococcal A, W, Y Only in the UK | - | 14 years (school year 9) | Only in the UK |
| HPV | 14 years (girls) | 12 to 13 years (school year 8) | |
| Flu Only in the UK | - | 2 years to school Year 11 (annually) | Only in the UK |
| Tuberculosis (BCG) Only in India | Birth | - | Only in India |
| Japanese encephalitis Only in India | 9 to 12 months, 16 to 24 months | - | Only in India |
From each country's official schedule. Combination vaccines mean one injection can count for several diseases. Full India schedule.
🇿🇦 Coming from South Africa
The UK'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, these may be offered as catch-up doses.
South Africa also routinely vaccinates against Tuberculosis (BCG), which the UK does not give every child. Keep the record of those doses - they still count.
Both countries cover diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Hib and more, but at different ages, so a course started in South Africa is finished on the UK's timetable.
Bring the Road to Health booklet.
Side by side: South Africa and the UK ages for each disease
| Disease | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 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) | |
| Tetanus | 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) | |
| Whooping cough | 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Polio | 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) | |
| Hib | 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months | |
| Hepatitis B | Birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 months | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 18 months | |
| Pneumococcal disease | 6 weeks, 14 weeks, 9 months | 16 weeks, 1 year (12-13 months) | |
| Rotavirus | 6 weeks, 14 weeks | 8 weeks, 12 weeks | |
| Measles | 6 months, 12 months | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Mumps Only in the UK | - | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | Only in the UK |
| Rubella | 6 months, 12 months | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | |
| Chickenpox Only in the UK | - | 1 year (12-13 months), 18 months, 3 years 4 months | Only in the UK |
| Meningococcal B Only in the UK | - | 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 1 year (12-13 months) | Only in the UK |
| Meningococcal C Only in the UK | - | 14 years (school year 9) | Only in the UK |
| Meningococcal A, W, Y Only in the UK | - | 14 years (school year 9) | Only in the UK |
| HPV | Grade 5 (around 9-10 years) | 12 to 13 years (school year 8) | |
| Flu Only in the UK | - | 2 years to school Year 11 (annually) | Only in the UK |
| Tuberculosis (BCG) Only in South Africa | Birth | - | Only in South Africa |
From each country's official schedule. Combination vaccines mean one injection can count for several diseases. Full South Africa schedule.
- United Kingdom - NHS / UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
- NHS - How to register with a GP surgery
- United States - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) / ACIP
- Australia - Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care - National Immunisation Program (NIP)
- Canada - Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) / National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)
- India - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)
- South Africa - National Department of Health - Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI-SA)
United Kingdom schedule last checked 2026-09-16. How we check.
General information, not medical advice. Your new doctor or nurse will advise on your own child, including any vaccines for health conditions or travel.
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