The UAE's vaccination schedule has its own unique characteristics. Vaccination schedules, vaccine combinations, and vaccination schedules vary by country.
The UAE has a national immunization program, with specific recommendations and organizational requirements implemented by local health authorities. Families living in Dubai should refer to the latest recommendations from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). The DHA released an updated version of its vaccination guidelines in February 2026.
How does the vaccination schedule work in Dubai?
Vaccination of a child in the first year of life
The first months of life are one of the busiest periods for vaccination.
At birth
- BCG is a vaccine against tuberculosis.
- Hepatitis B - first dose.
At 2 months
The child receives:
- A combination vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, and hepatitis B;
- pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV);
- the first dose of rotavirus vaccine.
At 4 months
The following dose is administered:
- a combination vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib, polio, and hepatitis B;
- pneumococcal vaccine;
- rotavirus vaccine.
At 6 months
- Vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib, and hepatitis B; polio;
- third dose of pneumococcal vaccine;
- third dose of rotavirus vaccine in three-dose regimens.
Not all rotavirus vaccines have the same schedule. The number of doses depends on the specific vaccine, so the doctor determines the schedule based on the specific vaccine used.
What happens after the first year of life?
12 months
At 12 months the child receives:
- MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella);
- chickenpox vaccine.
18 months
At this age, revaccination is carried out:
- against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; Hib; polio;
- second dose of MMR.
4–6 years
- DTaP booster dose;
- IPV and OPV;
- second dose of varicella vaccine.
Vaccination of adolescents
9–14 years
The National Immunization Program (NIP) includes vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV).
For children receiving the first dose before age 15, a two-dose schedule is used, approximately six months apart. The UAE National Immunization Program (NIP) targets children aged 13–14.
HPV vaccination is recommended for both girls and boys.
12–14 years
- Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine);
- meningococcal conjugate vaccine (ACWY).
In 2026, the DHA updated its vaccination guidelines for children and adults.
One important new focus was the prevention of RSV infection.
For newborns born during the RSV season, prophylaxis with a long-acting monoclonal antibody against RSV is recommended. The recommendations define the RSV season as the period from September 1 to March 1. For selected children under 19 months at high risk for severe RSV, pre-season prophylaxis may also be considered.
This is not a vaccine, but a monoclonal antibody that provides passive protection against RSV.
Outside of the national calendar, it is also important to get meningitis vaccines.
The MenACYW vaccine against serotypes is updated and approved for use starting at 6 weeks.
The meningitis B vaccine is also approved starting at 6 weeks.
Hepatitis A vaccine: Hepatitis A is particularly severe in children under 5 years of age, and can lead to liver failure in adults. Vaccinations are administered starting at 12 months of age. This vaccine is especially recommended for people who travel frequently (hepatitis A is common in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa).