Vaccines are among the most effective public-health measures protecting babies from serious and sometimes fatal infections. In Turkey, vaccines are provided free of charge under the Ministry of Health Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
This content is educational and offers a general framework. The current, exact schedule and doses can be updated over time; for administration, rely on your family health centre, pediatrician and the Ministry of Health.
Why vaccines matter
Babies aren't fully protected against disease at birth. Vaccines give the immune system a harmless "rehearsal" so it's ready when it meets the real infection. High vaccination coverage creates herd immunity that also protects those who can't be vaccinated.
Main childhood vaccines under Turkey's EPI
The programme includes several vaccines starting in the first months of life, protecting against major diseases:
- Tuberculosis (BCG)
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DTaP)
- Polio (IPV/OPV)
- Hib (a cause of meningitis)
- Pneumococcus (PCV)
- Measles, rubella, mumps (MMR)
- Chickenpox (varicella)
- Hepatitis A
These are given at specific months with booster doses.
2025 National Childhood Immunization Schedule (summary)
With the 2025 update, from 14 April 2025 Turkey began using a new six-component combined vaccine (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB) that covers diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, Hib and hepatitis B in a single injection.
| Age | Vaccines given |
|---|---|
| Birth | Hepatitis B (dose 1) |
| End of month 2 | BCG (tuberculosis) · DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (1) · PCV pneumococcal (1) |
| End of month 4 | DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (2) · PCV (2) |
| End of month 6 | DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (3) · OPV oral polio (1) |
| End of month 12 | MMR (1) · PCV (booster) · Varicella |
| End of month 18 | DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (booster) · OPV oral polio (2) · Hepatitis A (1) |
| End of month 24 | Hepatitis A (2) |
| 48 months (pre-school) | MMR (2) · DTaP-IPV (booster) |
| Primary school (~13 years) | Td (adult tetanus-diphtheria booster) |
Hepatitis B doses after birth are delivered at months 2-4-6 inside the six-component combined vaccine (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB). Varicella is a single dose at month 12 in the national schedule.
Important: This table is a summary. The current, exact schedule can be updated over time; for the doses applied, the vaccination card from your family health centre, your pediatrician and the Turkish Ministry of Health vaccine portal are authoritative. All vaccines are free at Family Health Centres.
What to expect after a vaccine
Mild fever, redness/swelling at the site or fussiness are common and usually pass within a few days. Seek care for high fever, unusual crying or worrying signs. Ask your doctor about using fever reducers.
Common misconceptions
- "Vaccines weaken immunity." — On the contrary, they strengthen it in a targeted way.
- "Multiple vaccines are too much." — A baby's immune system can handle many stimuli at once.
- A delayed schedule does not restart from the beginning; it's completed from where it left off. Ask your doctor about a missed dose.
Tracking
Keep your vaccination card and bring it to every visit. Keep the schedule current at regular health checks, alongside the child's growth and development monitoring.