Baby Vaccination Schedule in South Africa (EPI + Private)
A simple timeline of every immunisation your baby needs in South Africa, the free Department of Health EPI-SA schedule plus the private-sector vaccines many paediatricians recommend.
What is the EPI-SA schedule?
The Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI-SA) is the free childhood vaccination schedule offered at every public clinic in South Africa. It protects against tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, measles and HPV.
Full schedule from birth to 12 years
| Age | EPI-SA (free at clinics) | Optional private vaccines |
|---|---|---|
| At birth | BCG (tuberculosis), OPV (0) | Hepatitis B (birth dose, if not combined later) |
| 6 weeks | OPV (1), RV (1), DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (1), PCV (1) | Rotavirus brand alternatives |
| 10 weeks | DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (2) | , |
| 14 weeks | RV (2), DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (3), PCV (2) | , |
| 6 months | Measles (1) | Influenza (annual, from 6 months) |
| 9 months | PCV (3) | , |
| 12 months | Measles (2) | MMR, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis A (1) |
| 15–18 months | , | MMR (2), Varicella (2), Hepatitis A (2) |
| 18 months | DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (4) | , |
| 6 years | Td, OPV (booster) | , |
| 9 years (girls) | HPV (2 doses, school programme) | , |
| 12 years | Td (booster) | , |
Public clinic vs private paediatrician
Both routes cover the core EPI-SA vaccines. Private paediatricians often add combination shots (fewer needles) and optional vaccines like MMR, chickenpox, hepatitis A and yearly flu. If you use both, always bring the same Road-to-Health Booklet so doses are not duplicated, see our guide to the Road to Health Booklet for how each page works.
Common questions from South African parents
Is the EPI-SA schedule really free?
Yes, every vaccine on the EPI-SA schedule is free at government clinics, regardless of medical aid.
What if we miss a dose?
Take the Road-to-Health Booklet to your nearest clinic. Nurses will catch your baby up on the schedule; you do not need to restart. Clinic visits are free, and so is the SASSA Child Support Grant if you qualify.
Can I track this in an app?
Yes. BeasyBaby ships with the full EPI-SA schedule preloaded and sends reminders before each due date, so you never miss a clinic visit.
Track your baby's vaccines in BeasyBaby
Free reminders, growth tracking, and a private family Village, built for South African parents.
Open BeasyBabyEducational content only, not medical advice. Always confirm your baby's schedule with a registered clinic or paediatrician. Source: National Department of Health EPI-SA.
Related guides for South African parents
- Road to Health Booklet: what every SA parent must know
How to read the growth charts, what each page records, and how to back the booklet up digitally.
- Child Support Grant: how to apply in South Africa
Who qualifies, the means test, the exact document checklist, and what to do if you are rejected.
- Baby names in South Africa and what they mean
Popular names across isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Afrikaans, with meanings.
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