The Ministry of Health publishes a recommended immunisation schedule, and children get their routine vaccines at government health centres. The main points:
- At birth: hepatitis B (and BCG for babies whose parents come from countries where TB is common).
- 2, 4 and 6 months: the hexavalent vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib, hepatitis B, polio), pneumococcal (PCV) and rotavirus, with oral polio from 4 months.
- 12 months: MMR and chickenpox (varicella).
- 15-18 months: PCV booster, hepatitis A, second MMR, a DTP booster and oral polio.
- 2 years: meningococcal ACWY and second hepatitis A. 3 years: second chickenpox.
- 4-5 years: DTaP-polio booster and oral polio booster (plus MMR if two doses are not documented).
- 12-13 years: Tdap booster and two doses of HPV.
Vaccine record: you can see your child's record in the Sehati app (Vaccination Record) or on the ministry's PHC Services page (Vaccines Certificate). Health centres across Bahrain, from Muharraq and Isa Town to Sitra, Hoora and Hamad Town, give childhood vaccines.
The ministry advises parents to finish the routine vaccines before a child starts school, so check the record well before enrolment.
Recommended places
- Isa Town Health Center
- Muharraq Health Center
- Sitra Health Center
- Al Hoora Health Center