What to do if your child has missed a vaccination. It’s a situation many parents face – whether it’s due to scheduling conflicts, illness, or simply forgetting. Missing a vaccination can be worrying, but it’s important to know that it’s usually not too late to catch up. Vaccines are crucial for your child’s health, but there’s no need to panic if a dose is missed. The first step is to contact your child’s healthcare provider to discuss the best course of action for getting back on track with their immunisation schedule, writes Dr Carmen Briner, #MomDoc.
Children should get all their vaccinations on time and according to the recommended schedule. However, there may be instances when a child does not get a specific vaccine or does not complete the required doses to offer protection.
South Africa’s immunisation rates before lockdown were already suboptimal and now they are worse. As a result, researchers and healthcare providers fear that in the future there could be an outbreak in one of the preventable diseases such as measles or rotavirus.
What should you do if your child has missed a vaccination, or if they’re behind on the South African vaccination schedule? If you have missed a vaccine(s) it is important to catch this up to offer complete protection to your child.
Can my child catch up if they are behind on their vaccinations?
Catch up schedules can be challenging for healthcare providers since each case needs to be evaluated on an individual basis. But it is never necessary to restart a schedule or repeat doses – rather, it is the interval between doses that is more important.
What’s the difference between the public and private vaccination schedule in South Africa?
Many private facilities offer a number of additional vaccines or combinations, however until 6 months of age the schedules are the same. It is possible for parents to change from one schedule to the next. What is important is that the one schedule is not better than the other. Some vaccines are simply not included in the National EPI because:
- The pathogen does not cause severe disease in children (e.g. Varicella vaccine)
- There is a low prevalence of the disease in the country
- There is no scientific basis, nor any benefit provided by vaccinating the child
- COST! Some formulations are more expensive than others. For the DoH to sponsor a vaccine, scientists need to provide strong evidence that the disease causes significant mortality and morbidity before they will consider including it in the EPI.
If my child has missed a vaccine will they need extra doses?
Additional doses of a vaccine are usually given to make sure that everyone seroconverts. This basically means that there are detectable antibodies in the blood. Most vaccines require a series of three doses in childhood and may need some boosters in adulthood just to maintain immunity. Therefore the older a child gets, the fewer doses may be needed.
If a dose is missed or the interval between doses is extended, it is not necessary to restart the schedule, the missed doses should be given following the correct intervals going forward. The vaccines effectiveness will not be reduced, but it will take longer to achieve optimal immunity.
Does my child need all the vaccines on the schedule?
Some vaccines are no longer necessary in older children. For example the Pneumococcal and Haemophilus Influenza type B vaccines. The infections these germs cause mostly occur before the age of five years and therefore these vaccines are not necessary in healthy children over the age of five.
My child has behind on his vaccination schedule. Is it still safe for him to be vaccinated if he is older?
Some vaccines can cause complications in older children. The Rotavirus vaccine for example, should only be given up until 32 weeks. If given after this age it can cause a complication in the infant known as intussusception, which is a medical emergency.
What can I do if I don’t want to take my child to the clinic for his vaccinations?
With winter approaching it’s even more important that your children’s vaccines are caught up. Make an appointment to see your healthcare provider and discuss your options. If you still do not want to risk taking your child out of the home to be vaccinated there are some providers who offer home consultations in select areas.
ALSO READ: South African Childhood Vaccination Schedules: Public vs Private
BabyYumYum FAQs: What to Do If Your Child Has Missed a Vaccination
What should I do if I realise my child has missed a vaccine?
Contact your GP, clinic, or healthcare provider as soon as possible. They will advise on a catch-up schedule tailored to your child’s age and health needs.
Will my child still be protected if we catch up later?
Yes. Catch-up vaccinations are still effective, and your child will build immunity once the full course is completed. It’s important to resume the schedule without further delays.
Are there risks to delaying vaccinations?
Delays can leave your child temporarily vulnerable to preventable diseases. The longer the delay, the higher the risk of exposure, especially during outbreaks.
Do we have to start the whole vaccination course again?
In most cases, no. The immunisation schedule can be resumed without repeating earlier doses. Your healthcare provider will review your child’s records and guide you.
Can my child have multiple vaccines at once?
Yes. It’s safe and common for children to receive more than one vaccine in a single visit, particularly when catching up. The immune system can handle it well.
Is there a deadline for when catch-up vaccinations must be given?
There’s no strict cut-off, but it’s best to catch up as soon as possible. Some vaccines are given at specific ages, so timing can affect protection and school entry requirements.
Can vaccines still be given if my child has a cold or mild illness?
Usually, yes. Minor illnesses like a cold or low-grade fever don’t prevent vaccination. However, check with your healthcare provider if your child is severely unwell.
Do I need to worry about side effects if multiple vaccines are given?
Mild side effects like fever, fussiness, or soreness at the injection site are common but temporary. Serious reactions are rare, and the benefits of catching up far outweigh the risks.
Where can I get reliable information about the vaccination schedule?
Refer to:
- The Department of Health’s immunisation schedule
- Your GP, paediatrician, or clinic nurse
- Trusted sources like the NHS or World Health Organization (WHO)
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your GP, clinic, or healthcare provider for personalised vaccination advice based on your child’s health and immunisation history.
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