Written by OCS Médecins
Why childhood vaccinations matter
Vaccines help the immune system recognise specific infections and reduce the risk of serious illness. Completing the recommended doses helps protect your child; for some diseases, vaccination also helps reduce spread in the community.
For families in Mauritius, use the Ministry of Health and Wellness programme and your child’s Health Card as the starting point. A timetable copied from another country may use different ages or vaccine combinations. This guide summarises the Ministry’s published routine schedule, with individual advice from your child’s healthcare team.
Childhood vaccination schedule in Mauritius
The table below summarises the routine ages on the Ministry’s currently published EPI sheet. It is an appointment guide, not a personalised catch-up plan. Your child’s vaccinating team should confirm which doses are due.
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| Age | Vaccine / dose |
|---|---|
| 0–3 months | BCG |
| 6 weeks | Rotavirus 1; PCV 1; hexavalent 1 |
| 10 weeks | Rotavirus 2; hexavalent 2 |
| 14 weeks | PCV 2; hexavalent 3 |
| 9 months | MMR 1 |
| 10 months | PCV 3 |
| 17 months | MMR 2 |
| 18 months | Hexavalent booster |
| 5 years | DTaP–IPV |
| 9 years | HPV — see eligibility note below |
| 11–12 years | Tdap |
Source: Ministry EPI schedule, page 1.
Hexavalent combines protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), polio using inactivated vaccine, and hepatitis B. MMR covers measles, mumps and rubella; PCV is pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. DTaP–IPV covers diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio; Tdap covers tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. BCG is the tuberculosis vaccine.
HPV eligibility: the EPI sheet lists HPV at age 9. The Ministry’s HPV information sheet describes a single Gardasil-9 dose for girls and boys aged 9–15, with parental consent and the child’s Health Card. Ask the vaccinating team about a missed school dose. Children with a weakened immune system or HIV need an individual dose plan; the single-dose summary does not apply automatically to them.
Some children need additional or different care because of their health, exposure risk, travel or previous vaccinations. Ask specifically about hepatitis B protection at birth when relevant to maternal infection or exposure risk. Influenza, chickenpox and meningococcal vaccination should be discussed separately when indicated; they are not listed on this routine EPI sheet.
If your child has missed a vaccination
Contact your child’s vaccination clinic or doctor and bring the Health Card and any other vaccine records. The team can check the doses already received and arrange an appropriate catch-up plan. Do not use the routine age table to decide which doses to repeat or skip.
Tell the team if your child was vaccinated overseas, has an immune-system condition, takes medicines that affect immunity, or has had a serious reaction to a previous dose. The plan may need to be adjusted.
Preparing for vaccination day
- Bring the Health Card and available vaccine records, and complete any consent requested by the vaccination team.
- Tell the vaccinator about current illness, medicines, allergies and previous vaccine reactions. Let the healthcare team assess whether vaccination should proceed.
- Before leaving, ask which reactions to expect, when they may occur, how long to remain for observation, what to do if your child is unwell and when the next appointment is due.
Side effects and when to seek help
Mild fever or soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site can occur after vaccination. The timing and duration depend on the vaccine; follow the aftercare advice given at the appointment. An illness occurring after vaccination is not automatically caused by it.
Seek medical advice for an unexpected reaction, persistent or worsening symptoms, or if you are worried about a baby or child who is unwell. Do not assume that a fever after vaccination is harmless.
A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher, or a baby aged 3–6 months with a temperature of 39°C or higher, needs urgent medical advice and assessment. Do not wait for a routine appointment; if the child also has emergency signs, call 114.
For difficulty breathing, sudden swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat, collapse, or a child who is limp or not responding normally, call SAMU on 114 immediately. Do not wait for a routine home consultation.
How OCS Médecins can support parents
OCS Médecins can assess a child who is unwell and discuss questions before or after vaccination. Whether a home consultation is appropriate depends on the symptoms; emergency signs require urgent emergency care.
For vaccination appointments, vaccine availability and catch-up arrangements, contact your child’s vaccination clinic or school health team. Contact OCS separately to confirm the scope and availability of a home consultation.
Doctor-at-home consultations · OCS coverage across Mauritius
Sources and keeping the schedule up to date
Source documents checked on 23 October 2026. The Ministry sheets do not display a revision date; the vaccinating team should confirm any later programme changes. This information supports a discussion with your healthcare team and does not replace your child’s individual vaccination plan.