South African Child Vaccination Schedule

Each day, a healthy baby or child’s immune system fights off thousands of germs. However, there are some serious disease-causing viruses and bacteria that put their health and life at risk. For this reason, vaccines are needed.

What are Vaccines?

Vaccines are medicines designed to train the body’s immune system to fight diseases it has not come into contact with before. Vaccines work by preventing illnesses, rather than treating them. They are administered by healthcare workers or parents starting from the first month of your baby’s life. Some are mandatory for all South African children, while others are only required in specific situations.

Immunisation helps to develop immunity by imitating an infection, which then allows your baby’s body to produce antibodies against a disease. Once these antibodies are created, future infections and health complications can be avoided.

The South African recommended childhood immunisation schedule is as follows:

At Birth

1. BCG against Tuberculosis (TB)

Administered via subcutaneous injection

1. OPV (0) Oral Polio Vaccine

Administered: Drops, by mouth

6 Weeks

1. OPV (1) Oral Polio Vaccine

Administered via drops, orally

1. RV (1) Rotavirus Vaccine

Administered: liquid, by mouth

1. DTap-IPV//Hib (1) Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis, Inactivated Polio Vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type b Combined

Administered: Intramuscular, left thigh

1. Heb B (1) Hepatitis B Vaccine

Administered: Intramuscular, right thigh

1. PCV7 (1) Pneumococcal Conjugated Vaccine

Administered: Intramuscular, right thigh

10 Weeks

1. DTap-IPV//Hib (2) Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis, Inactivated Polio Vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type b Combined

Administered: Intramuscular, left thigh

1. Heb B (2) Hepatitis B Vaccine

Administered: Intramuscular, right thigh

14 Weeks

1. RV (2) Rotavirus Vaccine*

Administered: Liquid, by mouth

1. DTap-IPV//Hib (3) Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis, Inactivated Polio Vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type b Combined

Administered: Intramuscular, left thigh

1. Heb B (3) Hepatitis B Vaccine

Administered: Intramuscular, right thigh

1. PCV7 (2) Pneumococcal Conjugated Vaccine

Administered: Intramuscular, right thigh

9 Months

1. Measles Vaccine (1)

Administered: Intramuscular, left thigh

1. PCV7 (3) Pneumococcal Conjugated Vaccine

Administered: Intramuscular, right thigh

18 Months

1. DTap-IPV//Hib (4) Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis, Inactivated Polio Vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type b combined

Administered: Intramuscular, left arm

1. Measles Vaccine (2) or MMR (Mumps, Measles and Rubella)

Administered: Intramuscular, right arm

6 Years

1. TD Vaccine Tetanus and reduced strength of diphtheria Vaccine OR New 4-in-one Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis(*Optional)

Administered: Intramuscular, left arm

12 Years

1. TD Vaccine Tetanus and reduced strength of diphtheria Vaccine MMR (Mumps, measles and Rubella * Optional)

Administered: Intramuscular, left arm

Always ensure that your child receives their required vaccinations at their designated age brackets. Make sure to take your Road to Health booklet with you to all your baby’s vaccination appointments.