Vaccines
Vaccines protect your child from serious infections. They teach the body to fight a germ before your child meets it. This page explains how the schedule works and what to expect on vaccine day.
Why vaccines matter
A vaccine contains a weakened or killed germ, or a small part of one. Your child’s immune system learns to recognise it. The body makes antibodies and keeps a memory of the germ. If the real germ comes later, the body fights back fast. Often your child does not get sick at all. This protection can last for years, sometimes for life.
Vaccines also protect the people around your child. When most children are vaccinated, germs spread less. This helps protect babies who are still too young for some vaccines.
How the schedule works
Each vaccine is given at a set age. Some need several doses to build full protection. Others need a booster years later. Your child often gets more than one vaccine at the same visit. Most are injections. Rotavirus is given as drops by mouth.
Bring your child’s vaccine card to every visit. Dr. Merheb Melki follows the calendar of the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. She adds the vaccines the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends.
Dr. Merheb Melki’s vaccine schedule
| Age | Main vaccines | Also recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Birth, in the hospital | Hepatitis B | |
| First RSV season | Beyfortus (nirsevimab), one injection against RSV, premature babies included | |
| 2 months | Six-in-one (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, hepatitis B), pneumococcal | Rotavirus drops |
| 4 months | Five-in-one (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib), pneumococcal | Rotavirus drops |
| 6 months | Six-in-one, pneumococcal | Rotavirus drops, flu, then every autumn |
| 12 months | MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), pneumococcal booster | Chickenpox, hepatitis A, TB skin test |
| 15 months | Five-in-one booster | |
| 18 months | MMR, 2nd dose | Hepatitis A, 2nd dose |
| 2 years | Typhoid | |
| 4 years | Chickenpox, 2nd dose | |
| 5 years | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio booster | |
| 10 years | Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough), HPV (2 doses, 6 months apart), meningococcal ACWY | |
| 16 years | Meningococcal ACWY, 2nd dose, meningococcal B (2 doses, 6 months apart) |
Normal reactions after a vaccine
Most reactions are mild and short. The spot of the injection may be red, swollen or sore. Your child may be fussy, sleepy or less hungry for a while. A mild fever is common. They come from the immune system responding to the vaccine.
Hold your child, feed them and cuddle them. Dress your child lightly and offer drinks often.
Fever after a vaccine
A mild fever after a vaccine is usually nothing to worry about. Offer drinks often. Do not overdress your child. If your child is uncomfortable, you can give paracetamol at the right dose for their weight. Our fever guide explains the doses.
A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38 °C or higher needs a doctor right away, even if they just had a vaccine.
If a dose is missed
You do not need to start over. Doses already given still count. Your child picks up where they left off. Call the clinic soon to book the missed dose and plan the next ones.
Premature babies
Babies born early get their vaccines by their age since birth. This is called chronological age. We do not use corrected age for vaccines. A baby born two months early still gets the 2-month vaccines two months after birth. Premature babies need this protection on time. The first hepatitis B dose can be timed differently for very small babies. Your baby’s team will plan it with you. Premature babies also get Beyfortus (nirsevimab), an injection against RSV, before their first RSV season. Some get a second dose before their second season.
When to call the doctor
Call the Red Cross on 140 or go to the emergency room if your child has trouble breathing or is very hard to wake.
Call the doctor the same day if:
- your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38 °C or higher
- your child cries and cannot be calmed
- your child does not want to feed or is not acting like themselves
- the fever lasts or your child seems to be getting worse