From the first jab at birth to school-age boosters, here's a plain-language guide to what each vaccine protects against and why the timing matters.
Why the schedule looks the way it does
Vaccines are timed to protect children at the exact ages they are most vulnerable to each disease, and to fit how a young immune system learns. The schedule is not arbitrary; it is the result of decades of careful study.
Spacing doses and giving boosters helps the immune system build a strong, lasting memory rather than a brief response.
The first year
At birth, most babies receive BCG (against tuberculosis) and the first hepatitis B dose. Over the following months come the combined shots that cover diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, plus pneumococcal and rotavirus protection.
This early stretch carries the heaviest load of injections because the diseases they prevent are most dangerous in tiny infants.
Toddler and school-age boosters
Around 9–12 months the measles vaccine is given, often followed by a second dose later. Toddlers receive boosters that top up the earlier series, and further reinforcements arrive before children start school.
If you fall behind
A missed dose is not a lost cause. Catch-up schedules let children safely complete their protection, so speak to your paediatrician rather than starting over. Keep the immunisation card; it is the simplest record you will rely on for years.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, please speak to a qualified clinician.
