Complete immunisation schedule for children in Africa based on WHO Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). Track your child's vaccines from birth to 5 years.
| Done | Vaccine | Age | Protects Against |
|---|
The Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) is the backbone of child health across Africa. Established by the WHO in 1974, EPI provides a standard vaccination schedule that protects children from the most dangerous infectious diseases. In Africa, where many of these diseases remain endemic, timely vaccination is literally life-saving.
The standard African EPI schedule includes vaccines against tuberculosis (BCG), polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, measles, rubella, and yellow fever. Some countries add additional vaccines like malaria (RTS,S/Mosquirix), typhoid, and meningitis depending on disease burden.
Despite significant progress — Africa's childhood vaccination coverage has improved from less than 5% in 1974 to over 70% today — millions of children still miss their routine vaccinations. The COVID-19 pandemic set back immunisation progress in many countries, with UNICEF estimating that 12.7 million African children were "zero-dose" (received no vaccines at all) in 2023.
Parents play a crucial role in ensuring their children receive all vaccines on time. Keep your child's vaccination card (Road to Health card in South Africa, Immunisation Card in Nigeria/Kenya) safe and bring it to every clinic visit. If you've missed a vaccine, it's never too late to catch up — contact your nearest health facility to get back on schedule.
Yes. All vaccines in the EPI schedule have been rigorously tested and approved by the WHO. Side effects are typically mild (slight fever, redness at injection site) and resolve within 1-2 days. The risk of serious side effects is extremely rare — far lower than the risk of the diseases they prevent. Millions of African children receive these vaccines safely every year.
Visit your nearest health facility as soon as possible. Most vaccines can be given later than scheduled — it's called "catch-up vaccination." Your healthcare worker will adjust the schedule. The important thing is to complete all vaccinations, even if they're delayed. Don't restart the series — just continue where you left off.