Vaccination is one of the most effective and rigorously tested tools in paediatric medicine. Diseases that once killed or permanently disabled millions of children — polio, diphtheria, measles, meningitis — have been dramatically reduced or eliminated through routine immunisation programmes. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Turkey's national childhood vaccination schedule, the additional vaccines available privately and everything parents need to know about vaccine safety and side effects.
Why Vaccination Matters
When you vaccinate your child, you are not only protecting them — you are also protecting those around them who cannot be vaccinated: newborns too young for certain vaccines, children undergoing cancer treatment and people with compromised immune systems who cannot mount their own defences. This concept, known as herd immunity, only works when vaccination rates remain high. When they fall, diseases that were under control can re-emerge rapidly, as repeated outbreaks of measles in recent years have demonstrated.
Modern vaccines are among the most thoroughly studied medical interventions in history. Each vaccine licensed for use in children has undergone extensive clinical trials involving tens of thousands of participants, followed by ongoing post-market surveillance involving millions of doses.
Turkey's National Childhood Vaccination Schedule
The Turkish Ministry of Health operates a comprehensive routine immunisation programme, provided free of charge to all children registered with the national health system. The schedule is regularly reviewed and updated in line with international evidence.
At Birth
The first dose of Hepatitis B vaccine, ideally within the first 12–24 hours of life.
1 Month
Second dose of Hepatitis B vaccine.
2 Months
First dose of the hexavalent (6-in-1) combined vaccine, protecting against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) and Hepatitis B. First dose of PCV13 (13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine).
4 Months
Second dose of the hexavalent vaccine. Second dose of PCV13.
6 Months
Third dose of the hexavalent vaccine. Third dose of PCV13.
12 Months
First dose of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella). First dose of Varicella (chickenpox). Booster dose of PCV13.
18 Months
DTaP booster (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis). Hib booster. Polio booster. Second dose of MMR.
Primary School Age (6 Years)
DTaP booster. Polio booster.
Secondary School Age (11–12 Years)
HPV vaccine (two doses, girls). Td booster (Diphtheria, Tetanus).
Optional Private Vaccines
Several vaccines not included in Turkey's national schedule are available privately and are routinely administered in many other countries. These vaccines are scientifically proven, thoroughly tested and can provide important additional protection.
Rotavirus Vaccine
Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhoea requiring hospitalisation in infants worldwide. The oral vaccine is given in 2–3 doses starting from 6 weeks of age, with the final dose completed by 32 weeks. It significantly reduces severe gastroenteritis, vomiting, dehydration and the associated need for hospitalisation.
Meningococcal B Vaccine (Bexsero)
Meningococcal B is one of the most common and most devastating causes of bacterial meningitis in young children. Despite the availability of antibiotics, meningococcal disease can progress to death or permanent disability — including deafness, limb amputation and brain damage — within hours. The Bexsero vaccine is given in three doses at 2, 3 and 12 months and is strongly recommended for all infants.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Given in two doses from 12 months of age. Recommended for all children, particularly those in tourist areas such as Marmaris or those with international travel plans. Hepatitis A causes acute liver inflammation and can be severe in young children.
Annual Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
Recommended annually in autumn for all children aged 6 months and over. Children receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time need two doses four weeks apart. Influenza in young children can cause serious complications including pneumonia, severe otitis media and hospitalisation, making annual vaccination particularly valuable in this age group.
HPV Vaccine for Boys
Turkey's national programme currently includes HPV vaccination for girls only, but vaccination of boys is recommended because HPV causes cancers in both sexes — including anal, penile and oropharyngeal cancers in males — and male vaccination contributes significantly to herd immunity.
Varicella (Chickenpox) Second Dose
The national schedule includes one dose at 12 months. Two-dose vaccination provides over 90% protection, compared to approximately 85% with a single dose. A second dose, typically given at 4–6 years, is therefore recommended for more complete protection.
Vaccine Side Effects: Normal vs Concerning
Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. The vast majority are mild, temporary and a sign that the immune system is responding.
Common, normal reactions: Redness, swelling and tenderness at the injection site; mild fever in the first 1–2 days; irritability, crying and increased sleepiness. These typically resolve within 1–3 days. A cool cloth on the injection site and age-appropriate paracetamol if the child is distressed are all that is needed.
Rare reactions to report to your doctor: Facial or throat swelling, widespread rash, difficulty breathing (signs of anaphylaxis, very rare — approximately 1–2 cases per million doses), high fever lasting more than two days, or a child who seems unusually unwell. Anaphylaxis, if it occurs, typically develops within 15–30 minutes of vaccination — which is why a brief observation period after vaccination is recommended.
Vaccine Safety: Addressing Common Concerns
Do vaccines cause autism? No. This claim originated from a 1998 paper that was subsequently retracted due to serious ethical violations and data fraud. Since then, dozens of large independent studies involving millions of children across multiple countries have consistently found no link between vaccines and autism. This question has been investigated more thoroughly than almost any other in paediatric medicine.
Is it safe to give multiple vaccines at once? Yes. Combination vaccine schedules have been extensively studied. An infant's immune system encounters hundreds of antigens daily in the normal environment; the antigens in several vaccines given simultaneously represent a tiny fraction of this. No credible evidence shows any harm from administering multiple vaccines in a single visit.
What if our vaccination schedule is behind? Catch-up vaccination is always possible. No vaccine needs to be restarted from scratch — the schedule simply continues from where it left off. Bring your child's vaccination record to Dr. Göze Ercan's clinic and a personalised catch-up plan can be prepared.
Travel Vaccinations
Families planning travel outside Turkey may need additional vaccines depending on their destination. It is recommended to consult a paediatrician at least four to six weeks before travel. Depending on where you are going, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Meningococcal ACWY or malaria prophylaxis may be recommended in addition to ensuring all routine vaccines are current.
To review your child's vaccination record, complete overdue vaccines or discuss optional vaccinations, book an appointment at Dr. Göze Ercan's clinic in Marmaris via doktorsitesi.com or WhatsApp.
