Brazil Vaccination Schedule for Children: Complete Guide for Expat Parents
Dra. Paula Andrade
CRM-SP 204778 | RQE 131771 | Título SBP 2024
Licensed in Brazil — Itaim Bibi, São Paulo
Moving to Brazil with children means entering one of the world's most comprehensive vaccination programs — but also one that looks different from what you are used to. If you are coming from the United States, the United Kingdom, or most European countries, the Brazilian immunization calendar includes vaccines you may never have encountered and schedules them at different ages. This guide walks you through every detail so you arrive prepared and confident.
Overview of Brazil's Vaccination Program
Brazil's National Immunization Program (PNI — Programa Nacional de Imunizacoes) was established in 1973 and today covers over 20 vaccines delivered free of charge through public clinics across the country. It is one of the largest and most successful public vaccination programs globally, consistently achieving high coverage rates across urban and rural areas alike.
Beyond the government program, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP — Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria) publishes an enhanced vaccination calendar each year. The SBP calendar includes additional vaccines and earlier doses that are available at private vaccination clinics but not always provided through public clinics. Both calendars use WHO-approved vaccines, and Dr. Paula follows the SBP recommendations as the standard of care for her patients.
For expat families, the practical takeaway is clear: your child will have access to an excellent range of vaccines in Brazil, whether through free public clinics (UBS) or private vaccination clinics with shorter waits and English-speaking staff. Dr. Paula guides families through the calendar during routine pediatric consultations, provides prescriptions for vaccines available at private clinics, and ensures your child's records are complete and up to date.
Brazilian Vaccination Calendar — Key Vaccines by Age
The table below summarizes the most important vaccines on the Brazilian SBP calendar. If your child has already received some of these vaccines abroad, they will not be repeated — Dr. Paula will reconcile your existing records with the Brazilian schedule.
| Age | Vaccine | Notes for Expat Families |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | BCG + Hepatitis B | BCG (tuberculosis) is given at birth in Brazil — not routine in the US, given only to high-risk groups in the UK |
| 2 months | Pentavalent, VIP (Polio), Pneumococcal 10, Rotavirus | Similar to the US/UK schedule at this age; Rotavirus is the monovalent Rotarix in Brazil |
| 3 months | Meningococcal C conjugate | Given earlier than in the US schedule; SBP recommends ACWY instead of C alone |
| 4 months | Pentavalent, VIP, Pneumococcal 10, Rotavirus (2nd dose) | Booster doses — same vaccines as at 2 months |
| 5 months | Meningococcal C (2nd dose) | SBP recommends Meningococcal ACWY at private clinics |
| 6 months | Pentavalent, VIP (3rd dose), Influenza (seasonal) | Influenza vaccine is given annually from 6 months; free at public clinics during campaigns |
| 9 months | Yellow Fever | Required in Brazil — not part of routine US or UK schedules; booster at 4 years |
| 12 months | MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis A, Meningococcal C booster, Pneumococcal booster | Hepatitis A starts at 15 months in the PNI (public) but SBP recommends starting at 12 months |
| 15 months | DTP booster, Polio booster (OPV), MMR + Varicella (MMRV) | The combined MMRV (tetra viral) is given as the second dose at 15 months |
| 4-6 years | DTP booster, Polio booster, Varicella (2nd dose if not given as MMRV) | School-age boosters; Dengue vaccine (Qdenga) available from age 4 at private clinics |
Note: This table reflects the 2026 SBP recommended calendar. The public PNI calendar has minor differences (e.g., Meningococcal C instead of ACWY, fewer Pneumococcal doses). Dr. Paula follows the SBP enhanced calendar, which provides broader protection.
Key Differences: Brazil vs US (CDC) vs UK (NHS)
If you are comparing your child's current vaccination record with the Brazilian calendar, there are several notable differences. Understanding these will help you anticipate which additional vaccines your child may need after arriving in Brazil.
BCG (Tuberculosis)
Given at birth in Brazil as a single dose. The US does not include BCG in its routine schedule. The UK offers BCG only to high-risk groups. If your child was born outside Brazil and did not receive BCG, Dr. Paula will assess whether it is still indicated based on your child's age and risk factors.
Yellow Fever
Required for all residents of Brazil, given at 9 months with a booster at 4 years. Neither the US CDC nor the UK NHS include Yellow Fever in routine childhood schedules. This is typically one of the first vaccines expat children need upon arriving in Brazil.
Dengue Vaccine (Qdenga)
Available in Brazil for children aged 4 and older at private clinics. Qdenga (TAK-003) is a two-dose vaccine given 3 months apart. It is not available in the US or UK. Given that dengue is a significant health concern in Brazil, the SBP recommends discussing this vaccine with your pediatrician.
Hepatitis A
Brazil's public calendar gives the first dose at 15 months (SBP recommends 12 months). The US CDC recommends starting at 12 months. The UK does not include Hepatitis A in its routine schedule at all. If your child is coming from the UK, they likely need this vaccine.
Rotavirus
Brazil uses the monovalent Rotarix vaccine (two doses). The US uses both Rotarix (two doses) and RotaTeq (three doses). Regardless of which brand your child received, the doses count — no need to restart.
Meningococcal Vaccines
The SBP recommends Meningococcal ACWY starting at 3 months, with Meningococcal B as an additional private option. The US CDC recommends MenACWY at 11-12 years and MenB at 16-23 years. Brazil's schedule provides broader and earlier meningococcal coverage than either the US or UK calendars.
Need Help Comparing Vaccination Records?
Dr. Paula reconciles international vaccination records with the Brazilian calendar during your child's consultation.
Book a Consultation via WhatsAppWhere to Get Your Child Vaccinated in Brazil
Once you know which vaccines your child needs, the next question is where to go. Brazil offers two main options, and many families use a combination of both depending on convenience and availability.
UBS (Public Clinics)
- +Free for everyone, including foreigners — no documentation required beyond ID
- +All PNI (National Immunization Program) vaccines available
- -Wait times can be long, especially during campaigns
- -Portuguese-only communication in most locations
- -Some SBP-recommended vaccines (e.g., ACWY, Meningococcal B) not available
Private Vaccination Clinics
- +Full SBP calendar available, including premium vaccines
- +Shorter wait times, scheduled appointments
- +Some clinics have English-speaking staff (e.g., Dasa, Lavoisier, Fleury)
- +Comfortable facilities with dedicated pediatric areas
- -Cost per vaccine (typically R$150-R$500 per dose depending on the vaccine)
Dr. Paula helps families navigate this decision during pediatric consultations. She reviews which vaccines your child needs, writes prescriptions for vaccines available at private clinics, and can recommend specific locations near your home or workplace. Many families use public clinics for standard PNI vaccines and private clinics for the additional SBP-recommended ones.
Bringing Vaccination Records from Abroad
When you move to Brazil, bring your child's complete vaccination card or booklet from your home country. This is one of the most important documents for your first pediatric consultation. Dr. Paula will review each vaccine your child has received and map it against the Brazilian SBP calendar.
What Happens with Your Records
- 1.Bring your records — vaccination card/booklet, digital records, or photos of vaccine documentation from your home country.
- 2.Dr. Paula reviews and reconciles — each vaccine already given is matched to its Brazilian equivalent. Already-received vaccines are never repeated.
- 3.A catch-up plan is created — listing only the vaccines your child still needs, in the correct order and timing.
- 4.A Brazilian vaccination booklet is issued— the “Caderneta de Vacinacao” consolidates all vaccines (from abroad and in Brazil) into one official document, which you will need for school enrollment.
If you do not have your child's original vaccination records, contact your previous pediatrician or your country's vaccination registry to request a copy before your appointment. Having accurate records prevents unnecessary repeat doses and ensures your child stays on the optimal schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Brazilian vaccines safe?
Yes. All vaccines used in Brazil are approved by ANVISA (the Brazilian equivalent of the FDA) and by the World Health Organization. Brazil's National Immunization Program (PNI) is internationally recognized as one of the most successful vaccination programs in the world, with over four decades of operation and consistently high coverage rates.
Does my child need to restart vaccinations in Brazil?
No. Brazil follows WHO guidelines for recognizing vaccines administered in other countries. Dr. Paula will review your child's existing vaccination records and continue from where you left off, adding only the doses your child still needs according to the Brazilian calendar. There is no need to repeat vaccines already given abroad.
Is the Yellow Fever vaccine mandatory in Brazil?
Yellow Fever vaccination is required for all residents of Brazil and is strongly recommended before arrival. The vaccine is given at 9 months of age for children born in Brazil, with a booster at 4 years. If your child was not vaccinated before arriving, Dr. Paula can prescribe the vaccine and help you schedule it at a public or private clinic.
Can I get my child vaccinated for free in Brazil?
Yes. Brazil's public health system (SUS) provides all vaccines on the National Immunization Program calendar free of charge to everyone, including foreigners. You can visit any UBS (Unidade Basica de Saude) with your child's identification and vaccination booklet. Private vaccination clinics are also available for shorter wait times.
What is the dengue vaccine and should my child get it?
Qdenga (TAK-003) is a dengue vaccine available in Brazil for children aged 4 and older. Unlike the older Dengvaxia vaccine, Qdenga can be given regardless of previous dengue infection. Given that dengue is endemic in Brazil, this vaccine is worth discussing with your pediatrician, especially if your family lives in or travels to areas with high transmission.
Let Dr. Paula Review Your Child's Vaccination Records
Dr. Paula reconciles international vaccination records with the Brazilian SBP calendar, creates a personalized catch-up plan, and issues a Brazilian vaccination booklet — all explained in English.
CRM-SP 204778 | RQE 131771 | Einstein Postgrad | SBP Board Certified 2024
Book Your Appointment via WhatsAppBook a Consultation
Dr. Paula helps expat families navigate Brazil's vaccination requirements. Schedule a consultation to review your child's immunization plan.
Consultório no Itaim Bibi, São Paulo | CRM-SP 204778 | RQE 131771
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