Travel Vaccines for Children — What Parents Need to Know

Travelling with children raises a specific set of questions around vaccines that don't come up for adults. Age restrictions, dosing differences, and the fact that children are often more vulnerable to certain infections make this worth thinking through properly.

Routine vaccines first

Before thinking about travel-specific vaccines, check that your child's routine vaccination schedule is up to date. MMR, for example, is given at 12 months and 3–4 years in most countries — a child who hasn't had both doses before an international trip may be at risk of measles, which is still common in parts of Africa and Asia. Similarly, check meningococcal and varicella schedules depending on your destination.

Hepatitis A

Safe from 12 months of age. Children are not more susceptible than adults but they're often less careful about what they put in their mouths. Given as two doses 6–12 months apart, with the first dose providing good short-term protection. If your travel is imminent, one dose provides reasonable protection for the trip.

Typhoid

The injectable vaccine is licensed from 2 years of age. The oral capsule version is licensed from 6 years. Both are suitable for children within these age ranges. Typhoid protection is particularly relevant for children in destinations with variable food hygiene — kids are less predictable about what they eat.

Rabies

Safe and recommended from birth if travelling to high-risk areas. Children are actually at higher risk of animal bites — they're more likely to approach and interact with dogs and animals, less able to assess risk, and may not report a bite immediately. Pre-exposure vaccination is often more important for children than adults travelling to rabies-endemic destinations.

Yellow Fever

Generally safe from 9 months. Not recommended under 6 months. Between 6–9 months, the decision is based on risk — the vaccine itself carries a small risk, so it's only given in this age range when travel to a high-risk area is unavoidable. Discuss with your doctor or travel clinic.

Malaria tablets

Different antimalarials have different minimum age restrictions. Malarone (atovaquone-proguanil) can be used in children over 11kg. Doxycycline is not suitable under 8 years due to effects on developing teeth and bones. Lariam (mefloquine) can be used from 5kg. This is a good reason to see a travel clinic rather than self-prescribing — the right choice depends on the child's weight, age, and destination.

Practical timing

Book a travel clinic appointment for the whole family at least 6–8 weeks before departure. Children can have multiple vaccines at once but the clinic will space them sensibly. Don't leave it until the last minute — some vaccines require multiple doses over several weeks.