Moving from the US to the UK: your child's vaccinations
Most of what your child had in the US counts in the UK. The main gaps are MenB for young children and, for teenagers, a final tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster. Here's what to expect, based on the NHS schedule and the UKHSA catch-up guidance.
What carries over
UK guidance accepts documented doses from abroad. Your child doesn't restart a series that was already given. These US doses count:
- DTaP, polio (IPV), Hib and hepatitis B. The UK gives these combined in the 6-in-1 vaccine; separate US doses count the same.
- Pneumococcal (PCV) and rotavirus.
- MMR and chickenpox (varicella). Two doses of each match the UK's MMRV doses.
- MenACWY given from age 10, such as the US dose at 11 to 12. It counts for the UK teenage dose.
- HPV. The UK gives one dose, so a child who had at least one dose in the US is covered.
What your child may be offered in the UK
Your GP practice compares the record with the UK schedule. Depending on age, these are the most common additions:
| Age when you arrive | Likely to be offered | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 year | MenB, and then the rest of the UK baby schedule | The US doesn't give MenB to babies. The UK gives it at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 1 year. |
| 1 to 2 years | MenB (1 or 2 doses), plus the UK 18-month appointment | UK guidance: all children need a MenB dose after their first birthday, and 2 doses in the second year if they had fewer than 2 as a baby. |
| 2 to 10 years | Flu nasal spray every autumn, and the pre-school booster at 3 years 4 months if not yet given | The UK pre-school booster is earlier than the US dose at 4 to 6 years. MenB catch-up is generally not offered from age 2. |
| 11 to 17 years | Td/IPV booster at 14 (Year 9), and MenACWY if not had from age 10 | The UK aims for 5 doses of tetanus, diphtheria and polio. US children usually have 4 polio doses, so the teenage booster is still needed. |
Rotavirus can only start before 15 weeks of age, so older babies don't catch up. If your child's US record is incomplete or missing, the GP follows the UKHSA guidance for uncertain or incomplete vaccination status.
What the UK doesn't give routinely
- Hepatitis A. Routine in the US from 12 months, not routine in the UK. Keep the record; it still protects your child.
- Flu vaccine from 6 months. The UK starts the yearly nasal spray at age 2, except for children with certain health conditions.
- COVID-19 for young children. Not part of the UK routine childhood schedule.
- Tdap at 11 to 12 and the MenACWY booster at 16. The UK gives Td/IPV and one MenACWY dose at 14 instead.
Steps
- Before you leave, ask your pediatrician or your state's immunization registry for a printed immunization record.
- After you arrive, register your child with a GP practice. Registration is free.
- Give the practice the US record. They enter it and book any missing doses.
- Keep the red book (Personal Child Health Record) you may be given, or ask for one for a young child.
Questions
Does my child need to restart vaccinations after moving from the US to the UK?
No. Documented US doses count. Your GP practice only adds doses that are missing compared with the UK schedule.
Will my child get the MenB vaccine in the UK?
If your child is under 2, very likely. UK guidance says all children need a MenB dose after their first birthday. MenB catch-up isn't generally offered from age 2.
Why does my teenager need another booster at 14?
The UK aims for 5 doses of tetanus, diphtheria and polio. Most US children have 4 polio doses, so the Td/IPV booster at 14 completes the course.
Do I need to translate the US record?
No, it's already in English. A clear printout with vaccine names and dates is enough.
Keep track with VaxFile
VaxFile keeps your child's US doses and shows the UK schedule next to it, so you can see what's still due after the move. Free on iOS and Android.
Sources: UKHSA, uncertain or incomplete immunisation status (algorithm) · UKHSA, catch-up guidance · UKHSA, complete routine immunisation schedule · AAP, immunization schedule 2026
This page compares the AAP 2026 schedule with the UK schedule and UKHSA catch-up guidance, for information only. It isn't medical advice. Your GP or practice nurse decides which vaccines your child needs.
Last checked against the official sources: 6 October 2026.