Why the schedule looks the way it does
Vaccines are timed to protect children when they are most vulnerable to each disease — that is why several come in the first year, with boosters later. Following the schedule on time gives the best protection; "spreading them out" only leaves your child unprotected longer.
The broad map
- At birth: the first vaccines are given before you leave the hospital.
- First six months: the primary doses arrive in a series of visits, typically at around 6, 10 and 14 weeks.
- Nine to twelve months: measles-containing vaccine and others join the schedule.
- Second year and beyond: booster doses keep early protection strong.
- School age: further boosters at intervals your paediatrician will map out.
Good to know
- Mild fever or soreness for a day after vaccination is common and usually needs nothing more than comfort and fluids.
- A missed dose is not a restart — catch-up schedules exist for every vaccine. Just come in.
- A minor cold is usually not a reason to postpone vaccination; ask your doctor rather than skipping.
- Keep the vaccination card safe — schools ask for it, and it is your child's health record.
Your next step
Bring your child's vaccination card to any visit and we will tell you exactly what is due and when. If your child has missed doses, we will build a catch-up plan — no lectures, just protection.
This article is general information, not personal medical advice — see our medical disclaimer. For advice about your own health or your child's, talk to a doctor.